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<br />PART VI: PROTOTYPE TEST, TULSA, OKLAHOMA <br /> <br />Introduction <br /> <br />65. Since the structural integrity of brick-veneer and block-wall <br /> <br /> <br />buildings and the effectiveness of closures, sealants, and snap connections <br /> <br /> <br />had been established, tests were planned for prototype houses of flood- <br /> <br /> <br />resistant systems to protect a home or a building from floodwaters. Previous <br /> <br /> <br />tests had not included the effects of underseepage; therefore, this factor was <br /> <br />included in the tests along with other factors associated with static water <br /> <br /> <br />pressure. <br /> <br />66. A request for contractor interest was published in the Commerce <br /> <br /> <br />Business Daily on 6 February 1984, and one contractor responded. This test <br /> <br /> <br />was conceived with the knowledge that contractors are developing systems and <br /> <br /> <br />are experimenting with materials which, when properly applied, can keep flood- <br /> <br /> <br />waters out of homes and buildings. The test was, in effect, a demonstration <br /> <br /> <br />project that provided commercial flood-resistant construction contractors an <br /> <br /> <br />opportunity to test their products in a controlled environment. The contrac- <br /> <br />tor was responsible for the installation of his system, and the Tulsa District <br /> <br /> <br />coordinated the work, built a dike around the house, and supplied the water <br /> <br /> <br />for testing the system. Personnel from WES inspected the test setup, observed <br /> <br /> <br />and documented the test, and reported the results. LMVD provided the overall <br /> <br /> <br />supervision of the project. <br /> <br />Objective and Scope <br /> <br />67. The objective of the test was to work with contractors to test a <br /> <br /> <br />prototype house (Figure 54) under realistic flood conditions. <br /> <br />Experimental Test <br /> <br />Introduction <br /> <br /> <br />68. Private concerns were invited to participate in the testing of the <br /> <br /> <br />prototype house because a few contractors have shown a great interest in pro- <br /> <br />tecting homes and buildings from floods and are beginning to perform these <br /> <br /> <br />tasks on a continuing basis. The Corps of Engineers recognizes the expertise <br /> <br />21 <br />