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

Purpose and Background

This course will begin with a brief overview of tornadoes, their climatology, and impacts. It will then explore recent developments for improved tornado hazard characterization, design methods, and codes and standards for buildings and structures to resist these hazards. The course will continue with its focus — review and application of the new chapter 32 provisions on Tornado Loads in the ASCE 7‐22 Standard. Participants will learn about the many and significant differences between wind loads and tornado loads, including design speeds, vertical velocity profiles, directionality factor, gust effect factor, enclosure classification, internal and external pressure coefficients, debris impact protection, velocity pressure and design pressure equations, load combinations, and more.

This course works through examples for determination of tornado load factors, compute wind loads on an example building, then compute tornado loads for the same building, and finally determine the controlling load combinations considering both wind and tornado loads. The course will wrap up with a section on design requirements for tornado shelters. This will include discussion of key provisions of ICC 500‐2020 (the ICC/NSSA Standard for Design and Construction of Storm Shelters), along with code requirements for tornado shelters in the International Building Code, International Existing Building Code, and International Residential Code.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

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

• 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.
• Determine if design for tornado loads is required or not.
• Calculate tornado velocity pressures and design pressures for various elements of a building or other structure.
• Explain the differences between performance objectives for ASCE 7‐22 minimum tornado requirements, tornado shelters, and tornado safe rooms.
• Communicate effectively with team members by recognizing and utilizing best practices for planning and scheduling of construction tasks.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Achievement of the learning outcomes by attendees will be assessed through (1) exam.

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs

This course is worth 1.2 CEUs/12 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete (1) exam and receive a passing score of 70% or higher.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]

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Course Outline

Week 1: Introduction and Tornados 101
Course Introduction & Week Introduction
Tornado Characteristics
Tornadic Winds and the EF Scale Part I
Tornadic Winds and the EF Scale Part II
Learning Exercise
Tornado Climatology
Tornado Hazards
Tornado Impacts and Rationale for Tornado Design
History, Development and Current Practice for Tornado Design
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 2: Tornado Load Procedures and Tornado Hazard Maps
Introduction
ASCE 7-22 Tornado Load Framework
Chapter 32 Scope and Limitations
Tornado Load Procedures
Tornado Hazard Maps
Effective Plan Area
Tornado Speed and Determination When Tornado Loads are Not Required
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 3: Tornado Load Coefficients and Equations
Introduction
Exposure, Topographic and Ground Elevation Effects
Tornado Velocity Pressure
Tornado Directionality and Gust Effect Factors
Tornado Enclosure Classification, Internal Pressure Coefficients, and Protection of Glazed Openings
Tornado External Pressure Coefficients
Learning Exercise
Main Wind Force Resisting System Loads
Components and Cladding Loads
Learning Exercise
Wind Tunnel Method
Conclusion

Week 4: Tornado Load Calculations and Load Combinations
Introduction
Tornado Load Cases
Tornado Load Example Part I - MWFRS
Tornado Load Example Part II – C&C
Learning Exercise
Tornado Load Combinations
Tornado Load Example Part III – Load Combinations
Learning Exercise
Tornado Loads vs Wind Loads – Where Each Controls
Conclusion

Week 5: Tornado Shelters and Safe Rooms
Introduction
Tornado Design Beyond ASCE 7-22 Minimum Requirements
Storm Shelter/Safe Room Terminology and Purpose
Development and Overview of the ICC 500 Storm Shelter Standard
Structural Design Part 1: Loads and Load Combinations
Structural Design Part 2: Wind Loads
Structural Design Part 3: Debris Hazards
FEMA Safe Room Criteria
Learning Exercise
Conclusion v Exam: Weeks 1-5