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Current reinforced masonry wall construction design practice in residential gable ends was reviewed for compliance with the Standard Building Code and ASCE 7-93 wind provisions. The investigation team reviewed 31 residential structures built in the state of Florida after Hurricane Andrew (1992) and before adoption of the Florida Building Code (2002). The existing bracing techniques used to support the gable-end wall were found inadequate to resist wind-induced suction forces defined according to the applicable building codes. The controlling parameters were the spacing of reinforcing pilaster columns and the methods of lateral support along the top of the masonry wall system. The investigation led in part to revisions in the Florida Building Code with respect to the lateral bracing of gable-end wall systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines an ethical dilemma related to the residential construction industry in Florida, where homes must be engineered to withstand extreme load conditions induced during high wind events. Overwhelming contractor pressure to minimize construction costs has resulted in the propagation of inadequate construction designs. The overwhelming adoption of these inadequate designs weakens the integrity of our industry, creating the impression that market pressure can influence our judgment despite conflicting results gained through engineering analysis. This paper illustrates the frailty of engineering judgment as a design fundamental. Further, it raises the question as to what extent professional engineers should substitute engineering judgment for concrete evidence such as numerical analysis or experimental verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]