Generalized Cost-Effectiveness of Residential Wind Mitigation Strategies for Wood-Frame, Single Family House in the USA

Wind is one of the deadliest and most expensive hazards in United States. cause significant damage to buildings economic losses homeowners. Economic average approximately $3.8 billion annually from hurricane winds are not decreasing, even despite enhanced construction practices reduce wind damage. Thus, effectiveness mitigation strategies should be evaluated order lower cost incurred by this hazard. Several studies have suggested building code improvements mitigate hazard, additional comprehensive research provides selecting economically beneficial consider revisions. In a step toward addressing need, current study was conducted determine for new retrofit wood-framed, single-family, residential case study. Net benefit, defined as difference between life-cycle loss before after implementation strategy, calculated 15 their combinations, with costs ranging $1,200 $12,000 decision-making time horizon 5 30 years. Payback periods, number years recover investment, were each strategy. Results summarized all ASCE 7 speed contour intervals. The results serve starting point further refinement justification needed properly evaluate potential changes.