Final answer:
In the AIR hurricane model, wind duration is accounted for by recognizing that the potential damage to a structure increases with the length of time it is subjected to high winds. This is combined with the wind speed and other factors to accurately assess risk and potential damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The AIR hurricane model assesses hurricane damage by taking into account several factors, including wind duration. This is crucial because the longer a structure is subjected to high winds, the more stress it endures, potentially leading to greater damage. Wind duration is considered alongside wind speed because damage to structures is not just a function of how strong the winds are at any given moment, but also how long the winds persist at those speeds.
Calculating the damage involves understanding the wind pressure exerted on a structure, which can be significantly greater when wind speeds are high. For example, a hurricane-strength wind of 50 m/s can exert exponentially greater force on a structure than a light breeze of 5 m/s, following the principle that the power of wind increases with the cube of its velocity.
Therefore, the AIR model uses duration as a multiplier of sorts, scaling the potential damage based on how long the structure is under duress from the wind. This factor is integrated with other elements such as the building's specifications, local building codes, and historical damage patterns to provide a comprehensive risk assessment.