Concrete masonry construction is resilient on its own, without the need for special provisions or extra fortifying costs, and it doesn’t need to be rebuilt after most natural or human-made disasters. Concrete masonry is inherently resilient beyond code requirements. By considering lifecycle costs rather than just initial construction expenses, concrete masonry offers significant advantages, including buildings that can withstand extreme events, reduce recovery costs, and maintain community continuity—qualities that are becoming increasingly important as disasters occur more frequently across all regions of the country.
Objectives
- Summarize how concrete masonry construction offers interconnected resilience strategies.
- Explore the intent of Building Codes and how minimum safety requirements are addressed.
- Evaluate examples of how concrete masonry construction is inherently resilient across the country for both natural and human-disasters.
- Investigate first cost saving design strategies and redefine affordability to include durable and resilient structures that don’t need to be rebuilt.
