What size reinforced concrete posts and beams will be needed to span a 16'x16' spaces.?

Question

I want to build a hurricane and earthquake proof house out of concrete. It's location will be on the island of Dominica in the Caribbean. The two story house will have reinforced concrete post and beam construction and with concrete floors and roof.

10 foot ceiling.

The house will be two story with 2 bedrooms each floor 16'x16' stacked, with 16'x10' bathrooms stacked between the bedrooms.

The 2nd floor bedrooms will open on to a 16'x42' porch. A concret roof over the entire bldg. sloped to the back or pitched. The 1st floor bedrooms open into the open plan living/dining/kitchen same demension as the porch above it. That greatroom opens to a first floor porch with roof.

Question is what thickness of concrete floors to span the 16'x42' to withstand hurricanes, with the size of the beams to be poured together. What size posts and footers to support it all. I would also like for the beams and posts to be decorative as well as supportive and contain arches, crown mould, et

Answer 1

The homes in the Caribbean are all built to withstand hurricanes with minimal damage. I suggest you check locally based on local supplies. Start with your local building materials supplier, they can help you get started with your plan. Homes in the Caribbean are built with concrete roofs, so they know what they're doing there.

Good Luck,  ;-)