PowerPolymer Solutions EF-5 Tornado Resistant Walls for Residential Construction
In comparison to carbon fiber reinforced polymer wall systems (CFRP or CF/E), our Poly-Storm™ walls localize impacts and quickly transfer impact energies through an internal self-healing, resilient lock mechanism. Consequently, while CFRP or CF/E wall systems dramatically fail after just one EF-5 impact, our Poly-Storm™ designs will protect you and your loved ones from otherwise cataclysmic certainty, impact after impact. PowerPolymer Solutions' thin, inconspicuous and very affordable shelters can be masked as a home office, a bedroom closet, or even a classy entertainment room.
PowerPolymer Solutions Multi-Hazards Safe Room System
PowerPolymer Solutions' multi-functional safe room design incorporates moisture resistance during high storm periods and flooding, near-field seismic resistance during intense ground shaking through vibration control, and tornado resistance during EF-5 rated missile strikes from debris during 250-mph ground wind speed tornados.
Seismic Protection for Residential Structures
Bi-axial seismic loading (lateral-gravity loading) Reinforced Concrete (R/C) Seismic Shear Walls
Our technique that engenders a unique distribution of chemical bonds has also been validated for residential concrete structures located in regions of high seismicity. Specifically, bi-axially loaded reinforced concrete shear walls that had experienced substantial seismic damage were retrofitted using our unique PowerPolymer coating system. Our extensive experimental testing has validated the ability of our system to stabilize crack propagation via a unique energy dissipation mechanism.
The outcome of our testing: lateral load resistance of shear walls, severely damaged where only 40% of strength capacity had remained, suddenly increased by 100% following a significant increase in ductility and confinement at the critical wall base.
Tornado Protection for Residential and Commercial Structures
Tornado Safe Room Design in accordance with FEMA 320 / 361 and ICC 500
PowerPolymer Solutions' tornado safe room design includes a patent-protected inlay that can tremendously enhance the tornado building envelope in residential structures. See the wall and door test set-ups figures below, (a) and (b).
The thin inlay material, only approximately ¼ inch thick, has a unique chemical composition that has been fundamentally developed from basic science over the last 13 years (starting in 2008) and that allows the walls to withstand high-debris impacts generated by EF-5 rated 250 mph ground wind speed tornados. Our wind-borne debris impact tests were conducted at the National Wind Institute (NWI) at Texas Tech University and in accordance with FEMA 320 and 361, and ICC500 (International Code Council) standards, to meet both construction and testing criteria.
The inlay may be used to protect the wall and door elements of the storm room and is placed inconspicuously between the exterior plywood during construction. See images below.
In door panels, the inlay is placed inconspicuously between the exterior panel of a storm door (constructed using as thin as 18-guage steel) and an embossed veneer. Compared to conventional steel door and expensive carbon-fiber construction options, our unique lightweight functional chemistry-driven design is less than one half the cost; and, unlike carbon-fiber systems, our system passes EF-5 impacts with flying colors. See images below.