Introduction
Damage
to
buildings
from
flooding
is caused
by three
factors:
saturation,
velocity,
and
hydrostatic
forces.
All
retrofits
of
building
structures
must allow
the
accommodation
of
hydrostatic
forces.
Water
saturation
damage can
include:
- Inundation
of
buildings
and
their
contents,
or
- Slope
failures
and
instability.
Damage
from high
velocity
flows
might
include:
- Destruction
of
buildings
and
other
structures;
- Erosion/scouring
of
embankments,
slopes,
levees,
and
foundations;
or
- Drainage
facility
damage
(i.e.,
dislodged
or
moved
culverts).
Damage
due to
hydrostatic
forces
might
include:
- Destruction
of
buildings,
foundations,
and
other
structures,
or
- Soil
erosion
and/or
subsoil
movement.
In
addition
to direct
damage,
collateral
damage
might
include:
- Contamination
of
wells
and
other
facilities
inundated
by
sewage,
hazardous
materials,
and
other
contaminants
in
the
floodwater;
- Debris
from
damaged
homes,
vegetation,
orphaned
drums,
etc.,
causing
debris
dams
or
exacerbating
velocity
damage
as
projectiles
impact
structures;
or
- Siltation
of
ditches,
roadways,
drainage
facilities,
etc.
Actions
taken
during
restoration
can help
buildings
to resist
flotation,
collapse,
and
lateral
movement
during a
flood
event. The
use of
sealants
to reduce
seepage,
installation
of pumps
and/or
check
valves to
reduce
interior
water
levels,
and the
elevation
of
building
components
can all
protect
buildings
and their
contents
to varying
degrees. |
