A University Design Study of Reduction Factors in Typical American Houses with Fallout Shelters.
Abstract
The purpose of this work was to measure the fallout-radiation protection provided in a typical residential structure by fallout shelters designed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). NAHB designs specified dimensions and materials of construction along with tables of expected mass thicknesses. Our calculations confirmed that shelters with walls and overhead of the expected mass thicknesses would indeed provide protection factors of at least 40. However, it was found that construction according to materials specifications did not yield the expected mass thicknesses. In some instances, the shelters were of overly conservative design yielding protection factors as high as 116. This was typical of basement shelters. On the other hand, above-grade shelters were typically under-designed with protection factors as low as 20. It is recommended that NAHB designs be revised with mass thickness as the controlling specification. Instructions should then be given as to how these mass thicknesses could be achieved with various building materials. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 15, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0722856
Entities
People
- M. J. Robinson
- R. E. Faw
- R. S. Reynolds
Organizations
- Kansas State University