Flood Proofing Tests: Tests of Materials and Systems for Flood Proofing Structures

This report presents test results which describe materials and systems that can be used to protect buildings from floodwaters. Each year flooding causes more property damage in the United States than any other natural disaster. High flood damage costs to property have produced an awareness that nonstructural methods should be developed to augment flood protection provided by dams, levees, and similar structures. Because of the frequency and extent of flooding, strong initiatives to protect buildings from repetitive flood damage losses will provide a quick return on investment. The structural integrity of a building must be known or the building may be flood proofed to an extent that it will be excessively loaded and damaged or collapsed. It was determined by model and prototype tests that brick-veneer and concrete-block walls can withstand only approximately 3 ft of static waterhead without damage. If a building or home is loaded to excessive depths, it can fail instantaneously and possibly result in injury or death to occupants. Closures, materials, and systems were tested to determine the effectiveness in protecting homes or buildings from floodwaters. The following conclusions were derived from the tests A watertight closure must have gasket material at its connection to the sidewalls and bottom and must be bolted. The connections for the closure at the sidewalls and floor must be continuous and sealed securely to the walls and the floor. Water will flow freely through a brick wall and along the space at any water barrier between thicknesses of brick. Two layers of brick will allow a brick wall to support greater water depths. A brick or concrete-block wall can be protected against water flowing through it excessively by using a thick coating with body. This type of coating must be applied with great care or the wall will not be leakproof.