The probe captures high-resolution measurements of rainfall intensity. Forrest Masters, assistant professor of civil and coastal engineering, will deploy the instrument on a specially designed rugged tower only hours before landfall to capture the worst conditions of a hurricane. 

Using real-time cellular and satellite uplinks, data from the PIP will also be available in real-time to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) meteorologists and state and federal emergency managers.

“Beyond the ability of a building to physically withstand hurricane winds, water intrusion through windows, doors and walls remains a recurring issue,” says John Lewis, AAMA technical director. “Although most residential and commercial buildings built to recent codes will survive structurally, rain penetration often causes significant interior damage, occupant displacement, business interruption and extensive restoration expenses. Code officials, architects and manufacturers of exterior building products are questioning the real-world effectiveness of water intrusion test standards under hurricane conditions as referenced by modern building codes.”

At the urging of the Florida Building Commission, AAMA’s Southeast region division currently is developing a voluntary specification for rating the severe wind-driven rain resistance of windows, doors and unit skylights. “Instead of the usual pass/fail measurements, this AAMA specification applies a spectrum of pulsating pressure and rain loads and determines how well a product performs in severe wind-driven rain. The research, underway at the University of Florida, will further the value of the AAMA specification by quantifying hurricane-driven rain and its effects on residential and light commercial construction,” Lewis says.

Data from the PIP devices collected during this and upcoming Atlantic hurricane seasons will be used to establish a catalog of “wind-driven rain scenarios” for different storm intensities impacting various terrains. The information will be used to calibrate the rain field produced by UF’s mobile windstorm simulator to recreate hurricane-force winds and wind-driven rain at sufficient scale to test low-rise components and cladding systems. Utilizing four 700 hp Detroit Diesel engines and hydraulic drive units to power eight 54-inch vane axial fans, this apparatus will produce hurricane force winds and wind-driven rain at its 10- by 10-foot exit.

Actual full-size structural mockups will be evaluated in realistic hurricane conditions, according to Lewis. “The University of Florida will collaborate with industry and building code partners to evaluate the performance of the windows, doors and wall assemblies, including service penetrations, wall siding, finishes and vents. The simulator—calibrated to recreate actually recorded wind-driven rain scenarios—will be able to provide a realistic evaluation of building products and test methods intended for hurricane-prone regions, as outlined in the AAMA specification to be finalized based upon results from the study.” 

Growth Seen for Nonresidential Segment
Despite the continued sagging housing industry, the nonresidential construction market has shown solid gains this year, and spending is expected to increase by 7.2 percent in 2007 in inflation adjusted terms, following growth of nearly 6 percent in 2006, according to the American Institute of Architects semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast.

The survey of the nation’s leading construction forecasters predicts that hotels, healthcare facilities and schools will see the most growth.

“Construction activity in the nonresidential market has been robust this year so far, even exceeding the optimistic projections at the beginning of the year,” said Kermit Baker, AIA chief economist. “This pattern should continue for the rest of the year, with more tempered growth moving into 2008.”

Survey Focuses on Architects’ Work 
China and the United Kingdom are the top international markets for U.S. architecture firms, according to a recent market research survey of 629 U.S. architects commissioned by PPG Industries, the Pittsburgh-based glass manufacturer.

According to the report, 32 percent of U.S. architecture firms have projects built outside the country. China is the leading international market, accounting for 21 percent of the firms’ combined international business, followed by the United Kingdom at 16 percent. Surprisingly, neighbors in Canada and Mexico represent only 15 percent and 13 percent respectively of U.S. firms’ international project work.

Firms in the southeastern U.S. and on the West Coast reported the highest percentages of work in China, while projects in the UK were executed primarily by companies on the West Coast and in the Mid-Atlantic states.

Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Brazil, India, South Korea and Germany were among the other significant sources of international business for U.S. firms.

The study, which encompassed a representative cross-section of U.S. architects according to firm size, job title, geographic location and years of experience, also showed that architects prefer manufacturer websites for product information. A total of 85 percent of survey participants named them as their preferred source of product information, followed by sales representatives and technical binders from manufacturers.

Karesh Opens Custom Mirror, Glass Design Center
Karesh Mirror & Glass Inc., a provider of custom interior mirror and glass products, has opened a mirror and glass design center and showroom featuring an array of room vignettes displaying creative and unique custom mirror and glass applications. 

The center and showroom at 1940 Internationale Parkway in Woodridge, Ill., covers 1,400 square feet with one-of-a-kind glass applications and displays and includes another 4,000 square feet of dedicated space for the company’s headquarters and glass fabrication operation. 

Bullet-Resistant Information Available
The Glass Association of North America (GANA) Protective Glazing Committee has released an informational bulletin about bullet resistant glazing—Glass Informational Bulletin GANA PGC 01-0707. The document provides information regarding ballistic test standards, test reports and certification programs for this category of product.  

The bulletin is the fourteenth such document published by the association, which is headquartered in Topeka, Kan. It, as well as other GANA informational bulletins, can be downloaded free of charge from GANA’s website, www.glasswebsite.com.

Among the points the bulletin makes is that bullet-resistant glazing, which provides an improved safety barrier against ballistic attack, includes all-glass laminates, glass-clad polycarbonate laminates and other laminated or monolithic plastics.

Typical applications include banks, currency exchanges, police stations, embassies, military installations, prisons, detention centers, government offices and schools.

Architects' Guide to Glass & Metal
© 2007 Copyright Key Communications Inc. All rights reserved. 
No reproduction of any type without expressed written permission.