Mercedes Homes pulled the trigger and jump-started its Coronado sales with a Realtor event recently with help from the University of Florida’s Engineering Department.
The daytime event included a catered lunch and had an impactful demonstration for onlookers: an air cannon launched pieces of 2x4s at different-sized concrete walls to show the threshold of punishment that each could take.
The demonstration, said its organizers, was to show that cast-in-place concrete walls were more efficient at withstanding hurricance-force wind of up to 200 mph and debris damage in Florida compared to normal concrete walls.
University of Florida Civil Engineer Professor Pierce Jones and graduate student Johann Weekes were on hand with the 9-pound 2x4s and air cannon to conduct the tests.
“It was a standard missile impact test,” said Jones, “used to simulate hurricane force winds and flying debris.”
The cast-in-place concrete wall shattered the blasted 2x4 into two pieces, sending splinters flying before the audience. The only trace the wall was slammed by a missile-like board at 81 mph was a faint yellow smudge.
The standard concrete wall didn’t fare as well.
The 2x4 fired at 65 mph left a hole in the front of the wall as well as a noticeable crack behind it. Multiple tests showed more of the same as the cast-in-place wall outperformed the basic concrete wall in terms of resistance.
Coronado homes are being built with the cast-in-place concrete and one of the goals was to educate Realtors about the product.
Other than the cast-in-place walls, Coronado discussed other storm-resistant improvements such as out-swing entry doors, new soffit and fascia designs, both of which will help against water damage and removable corrugated hurricane shutters to protect windows from debris. The shutters were also on display next to the cast-in-place walls during the presentation.
“We wanted to increase public awareness about some of these features,” said Dennis Ginder, division president for Mercedes Homes. “We’re really excited about it, because they’re all superior products and it will lead to homes being safer in the event of a hurricane.”
–David Chapman