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<br />PART V: SYSTEMS TESTS ON A BRICK CUBE <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />52. The structural integrity tests of brick and block walls indicated <br /> <br />that house walls will not withstand more than about 3 ft of water without <br /> <br /> <br />structural damage, particularly if subjected to flowing water and debris <br /> <br />loading. This result provided a baseline for systems tests to determine <br /> <br /> <br />methods which would keep shallow-depth floodwaters out of houses and <br /> <br /> <br />buildings. <br /> <br /> <br />53. Houses and other buildings can be strengthened in various ways; <br /> <br /> <br />however, systems tests were performed for normally constructed homes in which <br /> <br /> <br />the walls had not been strengthened. The systems tested would be used pri- <br /> <br /> <br />marily for protecting homes in high-risk, shallow-depth, floOd-prone areas. <br /> <br /> <br />54. Systems tests which were performed using the block wall and the <br /> <br /> <br />walls of the test house at Allenville, Arizona, indicated that details are <br /> <br /> <br />critically important. In particular, a better sealing strip must be obtained <br /> <br /> <br />which will permit expedient and effective sealing against the passage of <br /> <br />floodwaters. <br /> <br /> <br />55. The systems tests on the brick cube had several advantages: <br /> <br /> <br />a. Tests would be less costly and time-consuming. <br /> <br /> <br />b. The four corners of the cube would allow adequate testing of <br /> <br />seal strips at corners. <br /> <br /> <br />c. Outside and inside corners could be tested. <br /> <br />d. Sealing of vertical seams in the waterproof membrane could be <br />tested. <br /> <br />e. Systems set up on the inside of the cube could not require a <br />bulkhead to retain the water head. <br /> <br />Test Setup <br /> <br />Inside corners <br /> <br />56. The system which was tested was an expedient sealing snap at the <br /> <br /> <br />base of the wall and a plastic sheet which would be pulled up the wall to the <br /> <br /> <br />desired height of protection. As mentioned above, a better seal strip should <br /> <br /> <br />be obtained. Commercial extrusions which could be used as a seal strip were <br /> <br />18 <br />