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Texas Tech University
Flying Debris Tests
The Wind
Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech University in Lubbock,
Texas, tested 6-inch insulating concrete walls and several other
wall systems to determine their resistance to flying debris during
a tornado or hurricane. The tests were performed
using a
compressed air cannon to propel a 15-pound 2x4 wood stud (missile)
at over 100 miles an hour at the test walls. (It should be noted
that the standard tests for building materials used in hurricane
regions is a nine (9) pound object traveling at only 34mph!)
The 6-inch insulating concrete wall performed with flying colors
while the wood frame and steel frame walls failed miserably, even
when covered with brick veneer.
Wall Type
Test Wall
Specs
Debris
Speed
Results
ICF
The 4' x 4'6" insulating concrete wall test
panel was filled with 3000 psi concrete and a #4 rebar at 24"
o.c. vertically and #4 rebar at top and bottom horizontally. A
1/4" thick EIFS stucco was applied directly to the wall.
15lb wood stud fired at
103.8
mph
The wood stud broke and splinted into pieces
after penetrating the foam but did no observable damage to the
concrete in the insulating concrete wall.
Wood
A 2 x 4 wood frame wall with
3/4-inch plywood sheathing and a 4-inch brick veneer was
tested by firing a
15lb wood stud fired at 69.4
mph
Even at this slower speed, the
wood stud perforated through the entire wall with little
damage to the wood stud (missile).
Steel
2 x 4 steel frame wall covered
with 1-inch of foam insulation and an EIFS stucco system
15lb wood stud fired at 50.9 mph
Went through the wall
completely with no damage to the wood stud.
using a
compressed air cannon to propel a 15-pound 2x4 wood stud (missile)
at over 100 miles an hour at the test walls. (It should be noted
that the standard tests for building materials used in hurricane
regions is a nine (9) pound object traveling at only 34mph!)
