Withstanding Hurricanes

Modular Homes Stronger in High Winds From
Hurricane Andrew

Image courtesy of Hurricane Andrew photo album at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration web site. http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/historic/nws/andy1.html

"Overall, relatively minimal structural damage was noted in modular housing developments. The module-to-module combination of the units appears to have provided an inherently rigid system that performed much better than conventional residential framing. This was evident in both the transverse and logitudinal directions of the modular buildings.

Two end-wall (end wall of end modules) failures were observed in a modular home subdivision. Poor connection of the tops of the walls to the roof diaphragms was evident in these instances. Some roof sheathing was observed missing from rafters, judged to be due either to building envelope breach (window and/or door failure) or to external wind and debris. Generally, the rafters themselves were left entirely intact, because of the inherent rigidity developed by the relatively short spans and secure connections." (Pages 29 and 30 of Building Performance: Hurricane Andrew in Florida published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.)