Wind engineering researchers at Florida build gigantic artificial wind simulator

William Atkins
Monday, 04 June 2007 03:41

Science - Climate

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The simulator, built by University of Florida engineering professor Forrest Masters, laboratory manager Jimmy Jesteadt, and a group of undergraduate engineering students, can also produce wind gusts of up to 130 miles (210 kilometers) per hour, which is considered a Category 3 hurricane.

The simulator is set on top of a trailer, which transports it wherever it needs to go. The wind and rain machine, itself, uses eight 5-foot industrial fans and four marine engines (producing 2,800 horsepower) to generate wind. It does not use the traditional chains or mechanical drive trains that previous simulators use. Instead, it uses a hydraulic system that is lighter-in-weight and safer-to-use than customary systems.

Besides producing excessive winds, the machine also simulates an average rainfall of eight inches per hour, but can produce up to a maximum of 35 inches per hour, with extremely high-pressure water jets.

This research was initiated after Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992. Masters’ research, backed by the Florida Building Commission, is helping to learn more on how to prevent building failures and protect windows, doors, roof coverings, and other such items against extremes in wind and rain.

Forrest James Masters is an assistant professor of civil and coastal engineering at the University of Florida (Gainesville). Masters has been involved in scientific studies of winds since he received his doctoral degree at the University of Florida in 2004, writing his dissertation on “Measurement, Modeling and Simulation of Ground Level Tropical Cyclone Winds”. His specific interests include “characterization of surface-level tropical cyclone winds and wind-driven rain, wind and wind-driven rain effects on structures, and stochastic simulation of natural hazard events.”