wind rating for universal cottage

[vojacek]

is there any peir and beam foundation that would be rated for hurricane force winds? we're by galveston texas and want to build the 20x34 universal cottage.

[John Raabe]

The shallow P&P foundation is not as naturally resistant to racking and uplift but can be made so by an interested engineer.

I expect you would build deeper piers and have additional strapping to tie the walls and roof into the foundation (this is also done with standard foundations for hurricane engineering).

At any rate, in hurricane and heavy earthquake zones you will want to have any stock plan reviewed for racking resistance (and this is most likely required of all plans in your local jurisdiction anyway).

See if your inspector can recommend a practical engineer. Mine did and I've used the same guy for 5 years. Always costs me the same price — $300.