Remote data collection for historic buildings damaged by the Nashville tornadoes in March 2020, in Documenting historic buildings damaged by the Nashville tornadoes in March 2020

The 2020 Nashville Tornado outbreak featured a long-track EF3 tornado that carved a 60-mile path through Nashville, reaching the highest windspeed of 165 mph in Cookeville. It struck downtown Nashville, presenting an opportunity to study the structural vulnerability of older, unreinforced masonry buildings in the downtown area. This study culminated in a dataset documenting 133 older URM buildings located within the perimeter of the tornado's contour in the Nashville metropolitan area. The dataset was compiled through post-disaster field investigations and archival research, focusing on the original construction materials and methods, any retrofits, and the social use of these historic structures.
This research focuses on addressing the significant data gap regarding the performance of historic structures under tornado wind loading. Current knowledge often relies on theoretical vulnerability assessments, but detailed, empirical datasets suitable for quantitative analysis are scarce. This deficiency actively impedes the development of effective, evidence-based preservation and retrofitting strategies for our shared cultural heritage. This dataset helps us find the weak spots in old brick buildings (URM). We use this information to design more effective ways to maintain and protect these buildings for the future. The ultimate goal is to help local communities become better prepared for the next major storm.