DESIGN FOR THE NUCLEAR AGE. Proceedings of a Conference Held as Part of the 1961 Fall Conferences of the Building Research Institute, Division of Engineering and Industrial Research
Although man has developed the high degree of science and technology to improve his environment that permits a life pattern of supreme livability with greatest safety and at lowest cost, he is again challenged by the threats of a nuclear age. Discussions are presented of means to combat the threats of a nuclear war with regards to protective structures both above and below ground for radiation and blast protection. Protection against a nuclear attack can be greatly improved if designers provide structures with appropriate protection characteristics. Effects on buildings of blast waves, thermal and initial nuclear radiation, and fallout under various conditions are described. Structural design for the nuclear age requires consideration of these parameters. Protection against residual radiation is increased by the addition of small amounts of massive structural material at selected locations within a building. Experimental work done to identify the design requirements for mechanical equipment necessary to provide building services in protective structures such as ventilation, heating, air cleaning, humidity control, power supply, and lighting is summarized. Studies made of shelter in schools, multistory office buildings and apartment buildings to determine the extent and cost of modification necessary to protect the building population from fallout radiation and blast are discussed. Requirements for blast shelter pose a much greater problem for the architect than those of fallout shelter. Research on fallout shelters and human behavior indicates that normal man has considerable ability to endure extreme demands on his physical and emotional resources. A full year project concerning the design of a nuclear city is discussed. It involves site selection, planning and designing a town of 9000 people to service a hypothetical electronic manufacturing facility. The town is located above-ground with the electronic plant and certain public use areas and the mass transportation system located underground and structured to survive against nuclear effects. The underground areas are planned for regular daily use, but can be converted into refuge living space for the entire population of the city when needed. The design solution is described in detail. (H.G.G.)
- Research Organization:
- National Research Council. Building Research Inst.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-018221
- OSTI ID:
- 4712809
- Report Number(s):
- NAS-NRC-Pub-992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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