NORMAN — Editor, The Transcript:
If we look at how the average house is constructed here, we see how easily tornados destroy them. Walls are framed together with nails. When the walls are erected, that puts all of the nails in a vertical position.
The easiest way to dismantle the wall would be to lift it from above. Oops. The walls are usually nailed to the concrete with masonry nails. From above.
Next the ceiling joists are nailed, from above, to the tops of the walls.
Once again, to remove, lift straight up. Then, the roof rafters. Nailed down from above? Yes.
Now, lets nail down the roof decking. Yes, from above.
And then, of course, the shingles. How? Nail down from above. Tornados lift roofs and pull the nails straight out like little pins.
I quit nailing structures together over 25 years ago and use 3 inch screws to frame with. If you want to dismantle what I put together, it won’t be easy.
Will this save a house from a direct hit from a tornado?
Will it hold many houses together that would get damaged from the periphery winds of a tornado?
Without a doubt, this would save, possibly 20 percent to 50 percent of high wind damage on the edges of tornados.
What is wrong with imbedding steel rods in the concrete footing and running them all the way to the roof rafters, tying them down and tying in the walls as you go?