Coastal Construction

This is an online continuing education course for Residential Endorsement Contractors licensed in the State of Alaska. This online interactive video presentation provides guidance on determining site-specific loads from high winds, flooding, and seismic events through illustrating important concepts and best practices in accordance with building codes and standards.
 

Part I introduces the main purpose of the process of determining site-specific loads which is to design and construct coastal residential building to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement due to the effects of wind and water loads acting simultaneously. The loads and load combinations used in this presentation are required by ASCE 7-10 unless otherwise noted and all calculations, analyses, and load combinations are based on Allowable Stress Design (ASD).
 

Part II provides guidance on considerations for designing buildings in coastal environments. The presentation provides information on developing a load path through elements of the building structure, considerations for selecting building materials, requirements for breakaway walls, and considerations for designing appurtenances. All calculations and considerations in this presentation are based on Allowable Stress Design (ASD).
 

Part III explains that while foundation design in inland and coastal areas shares many similarities, coastal foundations must meet more demanding conditions. They are required to resist stronger wind forces, perform reliably in corrosive environments, and endure unique coastal hazards such as storm surge, fast-moving floodwaters, wave action, scour, and erosion. As a result, coastal flooding is generally more destructive than flooding in inland areas.
 

Part IV provides guidance on the construction of residential buildings in coastal areas, emphasizing the unique challenges that are not typically encountered in inland locations, such as the need for building elevation. It discusses key construction practices to address these challenges and outlines critical aspects of the coastal construction process. This part also highlights the construction elements that require particular attention from builders to ensure that the original design intent is properly achieved.
 

This online interactive video presentation is intended primarily for residential and general contractors, builders, designers, and other technical personnel interested in the design, installation, and maintenance of residential systems.