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47.5 MB - The Whole Building Design Guide

47.5 MB - The Whole Building Design Guide

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4.3.6 Structural SystemsMost of the educational facilities observed were one-story buildingswith concrete slab-on-grade foundations constructed usingconcrete masonry load-bearing walls and steel-framed roofs.<strong>The</strong> roof joists were supported either by masonry walls or steelbeams. Some facilities, like the East Hancock Elementary School,used pre-engineered systems consisting of rigid steel frames supportinga standing seam metal roof. Pass Christian Middle Schooland Saucier Elementary School used structural steel frameswith standing seam or built up roofs. St. Stanislaus High School,located on the coast, had a concrete structural frame where thefirst floor was heavily damaged by the storm surge, but the foundations,concrete structure, and the upper floors survived. This wasbecause the buildings on campus were located on higher groundthan the surrounding area.<strong>The</strong> storm surge exerted tremendous forces on the buildings in itspath, first as the water rose, and again when it receded. <strong>The</strong> forceswere strong enough to knock down exterior masonry walls, as happenedin the Northbay, Charles B. Murphy, Pass Christian, andPlaquemines Parish schools (see Figure 4-22). In most cases, themain structural components survived with little or no damage.Figure 4-22:Damaged exterior wallsat Charles B. MurphyElementary School4-34 OBSERVATIONS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CRITICAL FACILITIES

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