Wind Design from the 1967 UBC

[SpiderM]

I am analyzing a hotel/motel that was built in 1970. Does anyone know of a source from which I can get design data for that time? The building would have been under the 1967 UBC. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[hokie66]

Spider,

I don't really remember what the building code said back then, but in Virginia, we used to design everything for 20psf horizontal wind and not worry about uplift. Times have changed.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

You might just use modern day values.. and if it works - you are OK??

 

[SpiderM]

The motel was hit by a wind storm event and had some failures. I helping a mom and pop fight with the insurance company. The insurance company is saying that the building failed due to poor construction. I want to show that the quality of construction is irrelavent. If the building was constructed perfectly and per code, the limits were exceeded and the failure would likely have occured regardless.

 

[civilperson]

Does insurance normally have a "poor construction" escape clause? Especially after collecting premiums for 37 years!

 

[msquared48]

Good point Civilperson.

By accepting the premiums, the insurance company accepted the stated and/or inspected condition of the structure. Poor construction should not be an issue here unless fraud could be proven - and the intentent to perpetrate fraud would have to be proven by the insurance company.

Get a lawyer.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[SpiderM]

They are trying to claim a pre-existing problem to their converage. The owners have only had the building for a year.

 

[msquared48]

OK. The owners have been making payments for only a year then.

The problem of pre-existing conditions has come up only upon presentation of a claim. Interesting is it not? Did not the insurance company due it's due dilligence at the time of the initial insurance appliction and inspect the structure, or have an agent do so? They either knew, or had the opportunity to discover at that time, that this was an existing structure, with possible existing problems. They had their chance to back out, but took the money anyway. They took the risk. I still say that this is a non-issue legally and will more than likely be seen for what it is and thrown out.

The insurance company is :
1. Delaying
2. Trying to recoup post-Katrina Losses
3. Forcing you to hire a lawyer

So, hire the lawyer to stop the delaying tactics and get the claim paid.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[civilperson]

The original building permit and certificate of occupancy should be available at the local municipal office along with the approved plans. That is proof of compliance with then current codes and zoning rules.

 

[SpiderM]

A lawyer is involved, hence my involvement. I sincerely appreciate everyone's input, but if I could put my hands on the code then I could determine the design MWFRS loads and the C&C loads. From those load limits, I could then compare it to the loads we calculate today (ASCE 7) and illustrate that the design was per code and the load limit was exceeded, so if it was constructed correctly it would have failed anyway.

But I digress, the point of the story is, "Where can I find a copy of the 1967 UBC?"

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Try UBC??

 

[SpiderM]

I'll look again but all I could find was a CD from UBC that had the codes from 1927 - 1964. I doubt that the wind designs changed from 64 to 67, but I don't want to have egg on my face in case that is a wrong assumption.

I was hoping for an on-line source so I could quickly put this to bed, but it does not appear to exist.

 

[msquared48]

Sorry, but the oldest UBC I have is 1973 where they have a wind pressure map of the US on page 140, Figure 4.

You might try calling the ICBO in Whittier, Ca. They may be able to give you some leads.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[hokie66]

I dug out my Gaylord and Gaylord Structural Engineering Handbook from 1968. It has what you need, wind load requirements of the 1967 UBC. The horizontal wind pressure depends on your location and height.

 

[SpiderM]

I have found one on Amazon, I'll give it a try. Thanks.