Ike Versus ECO Engineered Projects: None of our projects suffered any Ike wind damage. The following are projects saw the worst wind and water Ike could offer...
#1 Galveston Island Bayside SIP Home on Pilings: Here is our Ike "Poster Child" SIP design that survived Ike without loss of a shingle. But it did lose two designed blow out garage walls below the main floor. This happened when the bayside dock was lifted by the north to south flowing storm surge and then rammed into the pilings and through the blow out walls. The boat on a trailer parked in that garage was taken to Trinity Bay. The bolted down AC unit was lost when the mounting deck it was bolted to was washed away. But there was no damage or movement to the main pilings, upper walls, windows, doors, or roof. The owner was happy! This house also incorporates Hi-Velocity Air Conditioning. SIPs are STRONG!
#2 Port Alto Residence: If you know where Port Alto is (1.5 hours from us on Carancahua Bay in Texas!) you know that Ike did not reach it - but the next one may! ECO provided design and windstorm engineering for this great coastal Jim McBride Design-Build.
#3 Channelview SIP House on Crawl Space Foundation: This SIP home was structurally complete, though still under construction. This home site either saw Ike's eye or was on the 'dirty' side. I visited this home 9/27 and as you can see there was zero structural damage and zero roof damage. SIP roofs perform very well in hurricane winds. A SIP's extreme diaphragm stiffness does not allow roof flexing that can loosen individual shingle tab adhesive lines and nails.
You can see that sheetrock was being install on the day I inspected. Forget about engineering and load tables and just consider what rigidity is gained by having OSB skins on both the inside and outside surface of every roof, wall, and in the case of this crawl space house, even the subfloor.
#4 Hitchcock Structural Concrete Insulated Panel (SCIP) Home: I just heard from the owner about their custom contemporary SCIP home. The retired couple followed the required evacuation, but their son chose to remain to watch the home, riding the home through Ike's Eye. It had no damage to any of the SCIP walls or tot he metal panelized roof system, though they did have some minor roof leaks which they attribute to wind driver rain climbing over the standing seam roof seals.
#5 La Porte Structural Concrete Insulated Panel (SCIP) Home: I just visited this ranch style SCIP home. We think this home saw the 'dirty side' of Ike. They did not have any damage the SCIP walls or to the conventional wood framed roof. Due to it's location, this home has no protection from open winds such as provided by local trees, or by nearby homes. Though difficult to build, we think SCIP homes can handle much higher wind speeds, maybe even up to a CAT-5 hurricane.
#6 Another LaPorte Structural Concrete Insulated Panel (SCIP) Home: I did a 'drive-by' inspection of this traditional design SCIP home built in 2004. Sorry - no photo. But like the above home, we think this home saw the 'dirty side' of Ike and they did not appear to have any damage the SCIP walls or to the conventional wood framed roof.
#7 Houston AAC Block House on east side: This low income starter home is built from AutoClave Aerated Concrete block. The structure was built almost entirely by the physical labor of two people - the builder and his construction assistant. The home was structurally complete and under finish construction. This home site also either saw Ike's eye or was on the 'dirty' side. I visited this home 9/27 and as you can see there was zero structural damage.
Repair and Permitting Process: An engineer stamp damage/repair report is to allow repair to the original before-storm status. If the home was built (more or less correctly) to the building code that was applied at the time the home was built, the repair would be expected to be done without needing any repair drawings. Your repair contractor would handle any repair permits that might be required. Drawings might be required if there was severe damage (roof blown off), if the home had an original structural problem that was never corrected, or for permitting a renovation/improvement (a change).
* Ready for 'Shelter-In-Place' Design Now?: I don't know about you, but this 'minor' CAT-2 experience has confirmed and strengthened our argument that every new home or building should be designed to windstorm resistance, plus 'shelter-in-place', plus a limited load onsite power capability. We can show any client how to add these important items cost effectively.
Ike Versus Our Office: We lost one week due to big bad Ike. Our 1950's building did just fine. Our employees and families were safe, and although one had some home damage. We will be safer for the next one since a new red steel fire station is being built next door - actually outside my office window. As with all buildings being built in (our next Senator?) Mayor White's Houston, it will be green. The fire station has an underground storm water detention system install under the parking lot. I will not be surprised one bit if it has solar PV and a wind turbine by the time it is finished.
Ike Versus Our Business: In addition to engineering design services, we provide commercial and residential inspections for structural damage assessment and for Roofing in T.D.I. windstorm zones. Our inspections result in engineer stamped assessment/repair reports for storm damaged homes and other structures. These reports are used to (a) start the repair process to bring a home back to its original status, (b) to help get 'apples-to-apples' contractor repair bids, or (c) to accurately represent any damage for discussion with insurance companies, or FEMA, etc. For storm related and for general structural inspection needs we have established a sister website locate at www.TexasEngineer.com . This website has information about our inspection services.
#1 Galveston Island Bayside SIP Home on Pilings: Here is our Ike "Poster Child" SIP design that survived Ike without loss of a shingle. But it did lose two designed blow out garage walls below the main floor. This happened when the bayside dock was lifted by the north to south flowing storm surge and then rammed into the pilings and through the blow out walls. The boat on a trailer parked in that garage was taken to Trinity Bay. The bolted down AC unit was lost when the mounting deck it was bolted to was washed away. But there was no damage or movement to the main pilings, upper walls, windows, doors, or roof. The owner was happy! This house also incorporates Hi-Velocity Air Conditioning. SIPs are STRONG! 
#2 Port Alto Residence: If you know where Port Alto is (1.5 hours from us on Carancahua Bay in Texas!) you know that Ike did not reach it - but the next one may! ECO provided design and windstorm engineering for this great coastal Jim McBride Design-Build.
You can see that sheetrock was being install on the day I inspected. Forget about engineering and load tables and just consider what rigidity is gained by having OSB skins on both the inside and outside surface of every roof, wall, and in the case of this crawl space house, even the subfloor. 
#4 Hitchcock Structural Concrete Insulated Panel (SCIP) Home: I just heard from the owner about their custom contemporary SCIP home. The retired couple followed the required evacuation, but their son chose to remain to watch the home, riding the home through Ike's Eye. It had no damage to any of the SCIP walls or tot he metal panelized roof system, though they did have some minor roof leaks which they attribute to wind driver rain climbing over the standing seam roof seals.
#5 La Porte Structural Concrete Insulated Panel (SCIP) Home: I just visited this ranch style SCIP home. We think this home saw the 'dirty side' of Ike. They did not have any damage the SCIP walls or to the conventional wood framed roof. Due to it's location, this home has no protection from open winds such as provided by local trees, or by nearby homes. Though difficult to build, we think SCIP homes can handle much higher wind speeds, maybe even up to a CAT-5 hurricane. 
#7 Houston AAC Block House on east side: This low income starter home is built from AutoClave Aerated Concrete block. The structure was built almost entirely by the physical labor of two people - the builder and his construction assistant. The home was structurally complete and under finish construction. This home site also either saw Ike's eye or was on the 'dirty' side. I visited this home 9/27 and as you can see there was zero structural damage. 
