BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

The national risk of hurricanes in the United States as of 2023.

Publication Date

Tue, 08/15/2023 - 12:00

Dune erosion caused by the combination of a hurricane and a nor’easter in Ocean City, New Jersey

Reference

Coastal Construction Manual - Principles and Practices of Planning, Siting, Designing, Constructing, and Maintaining Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas, Fourth edition, Volume I, FEMA P-55

Author(s)

Coulbourne William,

Jones Christopher P,

Kapur Omar,

Koumoudis Vasso,

Line Philip,

Low David K,

Overcash Glenn,

Passman Samantha,

Reeder Adam,

Seitz Laura,

Smith Thomas,

Tezak Scott

Organization(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency,

FEMA,

Applied Technology Council,

ATC,

URS Group,

DK Low and Associates,

Atkins,

TLSmith Consulting

Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.

Publication Date

Mon, 08/01/2011 - 12:00

This home was incorrectly sited and supported too near a slope consisting of unstable soils.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Heavy rains destabilized the soil beneath this multi-story home in Puerto Rico.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

This swale and berm slow the flow of stormwater across a site to minimize erosion.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Dry wells are underground tanks that store water to percolate or drain slowly to another site or sewer.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Planting vegetation, such as salt hay, can help reduce erosion of coastal dunes

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Soil types include sand, silt, and clay- the more sand, the more quickly the soil drains.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Retaining walls can prevent erosion and landslides and maintain access to critical infrastructure

Poor drainage conditions can enable water to pool around the home.

Installation of an erosion control blanket to minimize soil loss on sloped ground that has no established vegetation

Final Grade

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly waterproof foundations.

Introduction to Temporary Erosion Control

Publication Date

April, 2010

Author(s)

STLouisCountyMNGOV

Organization(s)

STLouisCountyMNGOV

Video from St. Louis County, Minnesota on the negative effects that erosion can have on construction and management practices to mitigate these effects.

Stormwater Strategies: Erosion & Sediment Control

Publication Date

July, 2011

Author(s)

San Diego County

Organization(s)

San Diego County

Video from San Diego County on best management practices to mitigate sediment and erosion issues.

Building Enclosure: Foundation Overview

The Muck Stops Here: Construction Site Erosion and Sediment Control Basics

Publication Date

December, 2017

Author(s)

Ohio EPA

Organization(s)

Ohio EPA

Video from Ohio EPA focusing on sediment erosion near active construction sites.

Compost Erosion Control and Amended Soils for Construction Sites

Publication Date

July, 2020

Author(s)

Seattle Public Utilities

Organization(s)

Seattle Public Utilities

Video from Seattle Public Utilities on how to mitigate erosion issues during the construction process on new homes.

New and Recommended Construction Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Publication Date

December, 2012

Author(s)

City of Edmond Oklahoma

Organization(s)

City of Edmond Oklahoma

Video presentation describing the design of a construction site sediment control plan from the City of Edmond Oklahoma.

Wrong – Driveway is not sloped away from the house

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Right – Driveway is installed to slope water away from the house

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – The final grade does not slope away from the house

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Right – The final grade slopes away from the house

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Comprehensive water management features include a capillary break (≥ 6-mil polyethylene sheeting) at all crawlspace floors

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2009 - 12:00

Erosion & Sediment Control Requirements

Publication Date

December, 2014

Author(s)

LGL Archive Page

Organization(s)

City of Lexington Kentucky

Video from LGL Archive Page (City of Lexington Kentucky) explaining the steps needed to take to ensure proper site drainage prior to new home construction.

Right – The drain slopes away from the foundation and terminates at the proper distance

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

In hot climate zones, shade building surface with vegetation for passive cooling.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2021 - 12:00

Wrong – Drain pipe has been cut and foundation penetration has not been properly sealed

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Proper building orientation for minimal heat gain in the northern hemisphere.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2021 - 12:00

Erosion Control for the Home Builder

Author(s)

Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District

Organization(s)

Jackson Township,

Ohio

Publication Date

April, 2014

Factsheet describing steps builders should take to reduce erosion and control sediment on construction sites during home construction.

Planting deep-rooted native grasses and shrubs on the banks of shorelines can help reduce the effects of erosion on sandy slopes

Publication Date

Sun, 07/01/2018 - 12:00

Landscape trees and shrubs to funnel cooling breeze towards a home in hot climate zones.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2021 - 12:00

Erosion and Sediment Control On Your Construction Site

Author(s)

Community Development and Insfrastructure County of Santa Cruz

Organization(s)

Santa Cruz County CDI

Publication Date

January, 2008

Report describing construction site erosion and sediment control practices recommended and required by a county planning department.

The pilings for this building are showing signs of failure due to a poor siting decision to locate the home too close to the surf.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/01/2010 - 12:00

On ocean-front lots set the home as far back on the lot as possible, preferably with a protective dune between structures and shoreline.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/01/2010 - 12:00

Homebuilders' Guide to Earthquake Resistant Design and Construction, FEMA 232

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

June, 2006

Report presenting seismic design and construction guidance for one- and two-family houses for homebuilders, knowledgeable homeowners, and other non-engineers.

Good water management practices like sloping grade away from house, and installing gutters, perimeter drain pipe, a capillary break, and free-draining soils or drainage mat protect the foundation from water saturation.

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00