In December 2016, officials with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association hosted a roundtable with Florida state lawmakers and members of the building and code communities. The topic was a recent study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Titled “A Break-Even Hazard Mitigation Metric,” the study examines the importance of using resilient construction techniques in regions prone to extreme weather events.
Despite the risks to businesses and homes, many professionals continue to cut corners when it comes to weather resistance. Yet, according to the study, investing in mitigation will save over the long term. The research highlights that an initial expenditure of $340,000 as part of a $10 million project would prevent enough storm damage over the structure’s lifetime to pay for itself.