Expert Urges Improved Building Standards to Mitigate Hurricane Damage

Expert Urges Improved Building Standards to Mitigate Hurricane Damage

The devastation wrought by Hurricane Beryl across the Caribbean islands presents a crucial opportunity to rebuild with the highest affordable building standards, according to Grenville Phillips, a civil engineer and research specialist with a doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire.

Phillips, a Barbadian civil engineer, is currently in St. Vincent assessing the damage and advising on enhancements to local building codes to mitigate future hurricane damage. His extensive experience includes post-disaster assessments since 2004, including the catastrophic 2010 earthquake in Haiti that claimed over 200,000 lives.

In his doctoral research, Phillips used the Caribbean as a case study, examining housing damage in Anguilla and Dominica following the Category 5 hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian. His findings revealed affordable, durable building techniques that enable houses to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and Magnitude 7 earthquakes, like those experienced in Haiti in 2010 and 2021. Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm, underscores the urgency of implementing these methods.

Phillips is the principal author of the CARICOM Code of Practice for the construction of houses in the Caribbean, approved in 2023. This code, based on his doctoral research, sets standards for building resilience against Category 5 hurricanes and Magnitude 7 earthquakes.

“The aftermath of Hurricane Beryl provides a critical chance to rebuild affordably to some of the highest standards. Despite the tragic catalyst, this represents a vital opportunity to improve the future for affected communities,” Phillips stated. “Previously, the assumption was that higher standards were unaffordable, but this is no longer the case.”

Dr. Antonios Kanellopoulos, Head of Civil Engineering and Built Environment and Director of the Centre for Engineering Research at the University of Hertfordshire, praised Phillips’ work: “Grenville needed a partner that could provide expertise and accommodate remote work. Hertfordshire was uniquely suited to meet his needs. His research exemplifies the university’s commitment to impactful, real-world applications.”

Following his initial deployment to Haiti, Phillips founded Walbrent College to train construction supervisors and senior artisans in resilient building techniques. To date, he has trained over 1,000 individuals across the Caribbean.

Phillips graduated in late 2022, with his thesis focusing on enhancing the resilience of Caribbean buildings. His persistent efforts culminated in the adoption of a new building code by Caribbean authorities in 2023.

“I am pleased we now have the means to protect lives and properties by building stronger homes,” Phillips concluded. “However, achieving this goal requires not just recognition but the actual implementation of these improved building methods.”

Phillips’ Engineering Doctorate (EngD) from the University of Hertfordshire centers on affordable, resilient construction methods for hurricane and earthquake-prone regions like the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands.