Safety of Slab Home Elevations in Harvey-Affected Communities

P.I.: Dr. Yazdani
Grad. Research Asst.: Cedric Ling

Sponsor: Sea Grant Texas

This is a joint research project is being carried out by the University of Texas at Arlington and the Texas A&M University on behalf of the Texas Sea Grant. Its focus is on the evaluation of elevated home slabs in the Gulf Coast region mainly affected by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The final objective of the research is to produce a methodology and software for safe elevation design and application for homeowners and stakeholders.

The project will last two years and is divided up into multiple tasks:

  • Task 1 is to assemble an advisory committee comprised of local contractors, Harvey-affected county officials, and various emergency management coordinators. This committee will meet on a regular basis to review progress and project deliverables. 
  • Task 2 is to gather data related to Hurricane Harvey in the form of high-water flood levels, number of damaged/destroyed homes, estimated recovery costs, and the types of elevation beams/piers/foundations used. This data will be used for developing the education/training/outreach efforts that follow later. 
  • Task 3 is the experimental testing phase. Four, slab panels, combined into two, separate specimens, will be constructed and tested. Using the testing protocol employed in the “Strengthening of Elevated Slabs on Ground with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Systems” project, the parameters to be investigated will include support beam span, beam spacing, beam-to-slab connection, and strengthening options. 
  • Task 4 will involve computer validation of the results obtained through Task 3. Using finite element analysis, the range of parameters can be expanded beyond the scope considered in the experimental phase. 
  • Task 5 will be the development of a software for stakeholder usage. It will allow users to input data for elevated concrete slabs, such as concrete strength and slab thickness. The output will include safe elevation parameters, such as maximum beam spacing and beam type that will provide minimum safety levels. 
  • Tasks 6 through 10 will all involve the training and instruction of this new software through manuals, workshops, and publicity.