On-Demand Course

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INSTRUCTOR: 
Dr. Marc L. Levitan, Ph.D., A.M.ASCE

Course Length: 12 hours

Purpose and Background

The 2022 edition of the ASCE 7 standard includes significant new requirements for consideration of tornado hazards. In some instances, these new provisions can lead to large increases in comparison with existing wind load requirements for buildings and other structures, depending on many factors including geographic location, risk category, plan (footprint) area and shape, exposure, mean roof height, and building geometry.

The seminar will dig into the details of the new Chapter 32: Tornado Loads, as well as changes to the General (Chapter 1), Load Combinations (Chapter 2) and Wind Load (Chapter 26) provisions in ASCE 7-22 that are associated with the new tornado load requirements. Determination of tornado loads on example buildings and other structures will be presented, and participants will have the opportunity to practice calculations of tornado loads in comparison to wind loads.

Tornado requirements in the forthcoming 2024 International Building Code will also be addressed. IBC requirements are based on ASCE 7-22 but with some additional provisions. Code requirements for tornado shelters will also be discussed, along with an overview of the ICC / NSSA Storm Shelter Standard and FEMA safe room guidance.

Based on a decade of research and development, the new tornado load provisions incorporate state-of-the-art knowledge of tornado hazard characteristics and tornado-structure interaction. The addition of tornado load requirements in ASCE 7-22 represents a paradigm shift – no longer will one of nature’s most destructive natural hazards be neglected in the design of conventional buildings and facilities.

NOTE - SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS ARE RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A COPY OF ASCE 7-22 (HARD COPY OR ELECTRONIC COPY), ALTHOUGH NOT A REQUIREMENT

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Benefits

  • Develop a detailed understanding of the new state-of-the-art tornado load requirements in ASCE 7-22 and the 2024 International Building Code
  • Apply the new ASCE 7 Hazards Tool for determination of site-specific tornado speeds and wind speeds
  • Understand the differences between tornado load and wind load procedures, and the rationale for these differences
  • Determine when and where tornado loads are required, and how to calculate tornado loads
  • Understand the limitations of ASCE 7 minimum tornado requirements and options for higher levels of tornado protection

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify key properties and defining characteristics of tornadoes
  • Explain the current state of practice with regard to design for tornadoes, including options for higher levels of tornado protection beyond ASCE 7-22 minimums
  • Summarize the scope and limitations of ASCE 7-22 tornado load requirements
  • Determine tornado speed for any geographic location, building/facility size, shape, and Risk Category
  • Evaluate tornado loads for a building
  • Determine controlling loads on a building using Strength and ASD load combinations

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Students’ achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed through a series of problem-solving design examples, class discussion, and case studies. There will also be a?short post-test (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank?questions) administered.

Who Should Attend?

  • Structural engineers
  • Architectural engineers
  • Architects
  • Civil engineers
  • Forensic engineers
  • Risk Managers
  • Building officials
  • Designers
  • Principals
  • Building product manufacturers and associations

Outline

Part 1

  • Introduction and Tornadoes 101
  • Tornado climatology and hazards
  • Tornado impacts and rationale for tornado design
  • ASCE 7-22 tornado load procedures
  • Tornado hazard maps and effects of building plan size
  • Tornado velocity pressure and load coefficients
  • Atmospheric Pressure Change
  • Effects of updrafts on roof pressures
  • Main Wind Force Resisting System loads
  • Components and Cladding loads
  • Wind tunnel testing method

Part 2

  • Tornado load cases
  • Tornado load combinations
  • Building design – tornado load examples
  • 2024 International Building Code tornado requirements
  • Wind loads vs Tornado loads- when and where will tornadoes control the design
  • Cost impacts of tornado load design
  • Tornado life-safety protection - options and code requirements
  • Tornado shelters and overview of ICC 500 Storm Shelter standard
  • Tornado safe rooms and FEMA P-361 / P-320 guidance

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs

This online course is worth 1.2 CEUs/12 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 365 days of the purchase.