Atomic Blast Research Determines Design of Brick House

(August-September, 1958, Home Building in Canada)

A new brick house design concept which offers protection against natural disasters was recently announced by the Structural Clay Products Research Foundation, research arm of the brick and structural tile manufacturers.

The design concept was born out of research data obtained from the brick and tile industry's participation in U.S. atomic blast tests conducted last year at Nevada. It was in these tests that a one-storey reinforced brick structure successfully withstood the devastating force of nuclear blast.

Employing the principle of arching, clay industry research engineers designed a six-inch "SCR brick" residence in which the arching takes place vertically, by means of the roof being tied to the foundation by three-inch steel channels on 24 inch centres.

In addition to the walls of the one-storey house being designed with the arching principle, the concept calls for a safety core of 10 inch reinforced brick masonry walls roofed with six and one-half inch reinforced precast clay tile beams topped with a two and one-half inch concrete slab. The beams are of the same design which also successfully stood up during the Nevada blast tests.

Laminated Door 3 1/4" Thick

The design of the house includes a three and one-quarter inch laminated plywood blast-resistant door with steel hinges which withstood atomic blast in the tests.

Besides protection against such natural disasters as hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes, this design concept affords good protection against loss of life in 90 per cent of the potential blast damage area of any size atomic or hydrogen weapon, Robert B. Taylor, SCPRF Director, indicated. Although not needed for natural disasters, a partial basement under the core area could be a safe refuge against severe atomic fallout.

Fireplace for Emergencies

A modern see-through fireplace between the living room and den which is decorative and useful would, in the event of disaster, serve an important role as a source of heat and a place for cooking.

Between the two shows. I got to meet the Beatles in person. First at a big jumbled up press conference where the boys posed for pictures and answered questions in their funny way. Then later, in their dressing-room, just before they went on to do their second show.

Another advantage to the home owner in this core design concept for conventional housing is that it offers protection not only in the immediate disaster situation, but provides a place to live until the damaged conventional portion of the house is rebuilt.

Engineers estimated that, in new construction, this safety core could be incorporated in a conventional house design for about 5 per cent additional cost. The safety core plus the surrounding walls designed with the arching principle providing a complete disaster-resistant house could be built at an additional cost of less than 20 per cent.

Next story: Eddie and Debbie Biggest of Real-life Romances In Live and hisses Years
Last story: Beauty in the Machine Age