Sep 5 2005
A team of investigators will arrive in the Gulf States area today to investigate the effects of Hurricane Katrina on masonry structures.
The four-man team includes trained volunteers from the engineering, construction, materials, and forensic communities, who will examine such things as structural integrity of the buildings and gather data on compliance with local building codes.
Terence A. Weigel, Ph.D. from the University of Louisville, will lead the team. Weigel said, "When catastrophic events like hurricanes damage structures, it is important to conduct an investigation as quickly as possible before clean-up efforts are begun to collect forensic data and determine how well the structures performed. Quick-response field studies conducted following major disasters are vital to identify knowledge gaps where further research is most needed. Such investigations also offer opportunities to make recommendations regarding mitigation measures, disaster preparedness, and emergency responses for better preparing communities for future disasters."
Investigators to Examine Other team members joining Weigel include Jason Thompson of the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), Benchmark Harris of the Isbell Engineering Group, Inc., and John Bufford of ACME Brick Company. Additional investigators may join the team if needed to further goals and objectives of the observation. The team will be onsite conducting investigations through at least Wednesday, September 7, 2005. The Masonry Society, working together with the Council for Masonry Research (CMR) is sponsoring the investigation of structures in Hurricane Katrina's path. TMS Coordinator for their Investigating Disasters Program, Art Schultz (University of Minnesota), and TMS President, Max Porter (University of Iowa) have requested that authorities in the Gulf States region grant the team access to disaster areas and share information with the team members.
According to Schultz, "These scientific investigations are part of a comprehensive disaster hazard-reduction effort underway in this country and cooperation from local officials enhances the team's effectiveness in carrying out their critical task."