FLOOD02514

• County: Statewide
• Community: Nationwide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Design Guidelines for Flood Damage Reduction
• Date: 10/1/1981
• Prepared By: FEMA
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

Raymond R Fox, Dames and Moore

Above, left, are examples of
how tbe forces of flood
water can damage a build-
ing if it is not securely an-
chored to piersJounda-
tiorlS, and foo#ngs. Above,
right, are examples of an-
choring systems designed to
resist the forces of flooding.

Buildings can be elevated
on extended foundation
walls. Ver.#cal walls should
be sited to minimize
obstruction of water flow
duringflooding.

68

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subject to greater lateral water pressure. Longer walls
should be located parallel to the flow of flood water to
minimize these dangers. All foundation walls that might
be subjected to flooding should be anchored to prevent
displacement or flotation
In some cases it can be advantageous to use a combi-
nation of methods. For example, a building can be raised
on fill at one end and on stilts at the other This would be
beneficial in providing ground floor access at the end of
the building that is away from the floodplain while mini-
mizing obstruction of water at the end nearer the stream
channel Techniques for elevating buildings can also be
combined with waterproofing techniques in some cir-
cumstances.
In using any of the methods for elevating a structure,
the designer must consider access to and from the build-
ing during flooding and the protection of utility lines and
points of entry.
Spatial Organization The internal spaces of build-
ings located in or partially in a floodplain should be orga-
nized to minimize damage in the event of inundation
The most vulnerable elements of the building should be
located above flooding levels. This would typically in-
clude placing all mechanical equipment on the upper
floors or roof of the building Depending on the respec-