The Resilience of Concrete

Among all construction materials, concrete stands out for its exceptional durability and its ability to withstand natural disasters. This makes concrete structures essential for creating stronger, safer communities—especially when comprehensive planning and stricter building codes are in place. Resilient structures are also the new “green” buildings. Builders, architects, and designers recognize that durable public buildings, homes, and businesses minimize environmental impact.

Disaster Resilience

In 2017, the 16 largest weather events each caused over $1 billion in damage. We can expect climate change and other factors to lead to more frequent billion-dollar disasters—unless we start building more resilient structures. U.S. taxpayers cannot afford to continue building and rebuilding the way we did in the past. Concrete construction offers long-lasting solutions to build safe, prosperous communities anywhere in the country.

• The Value of Disaster Resilience

• Reinforced concrete construction is better able to survive major storms. For example, concrete wall, floor, and roof systems provide unmatched structural strength and wind resistance. Hardened exterior finishes for walls and roofs offer superior strength and security. That means less need for repair and reconstruction.
• People living or working in reinforced concrete buildings can safely shelter in place during major storms, minimizing the need for emergency response. In fact, most safe rooms and shelters are made with concrete systems.
• Concrete is non-combustible, giving concrete buildings excellent fire ratings. This allows occupants time to escape to safety and increases the chances that the structure will survive.

Demonstrating Resilience

After Superstorm Sandy devastated a swath of New York City’s coastal communities, the Portland Cement Association, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc., and others partnered to help create a hurricane-strong home for one NYC resident—a powerful demonstration project.

Meeting or Exceeding Codes

Many people don’t know that building code compliance provides only minimum levels of safety. Code requirements for fire ratings are designed to give people enough time to escape—but not necessarily to protect the structure. Code compliance does not guarantee resilient performance. In a building that is not resilient, any disaster can result in complete structural loss, loss of material possessions, and community devastation.

Resilient construction allows occupants adequate time to escape or even to shelter in place, and may protect the structure so that it can be repaired rather than replaced.

How Concrete Can Help

• Fire Resistance

• Concrete is noncombustible. In the event of fire, the structure does not provide fuel for the fire and may contain it.
• Concrete walls, floors, and roofs are recognized by the International Building Code as providing a good fire rating, usually a 1–2-hour rating for about 3 to 5 inches of concrete.

Reinforced concrete, which meets or exceeds code minimums without extra effort for design or construction, can resist destructive forces like fire, high winds, and storm surge.