FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wall of Wind Researchers Design, Test Hurricane Damage Solutions
On NHERI’s DesignSafe Radio podcast, Florida International University meteorologist Erik Salna introduces the U.S. National Science Foundation-supported Wall of Wind
August 1, 2024, West Lafayette, IN — Meteorologist and educator Erik Salna joins us on the DesignSafe Radio podcast with nitty-gritty details on the gigantic wind tunnel known as the Wall of Wind, or simply, the WOW. Located at Florida International University in Miami, the WOW facility is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and is part of the NSF-funded NHERI network.
Each of WOW’s 12-fans are six feet in diameter and weigh nearly 15,000 pounds. Powered up together, the 720HP electric motors can reproduce category 5 hurricane wind speeds, 157MPH. As well as developing designs to protect buildings, research engineers at the WOW conduct experiments on machinery and infrastructure subjected to high winds, for example utility trucks, construction cranes and electrical power towers. Another project used flying debris in the wind tunnel to derive an algorithm for determining wind speeds in video captures.
NSF-funded facilities like the WOW are dedicated to ensuring the future of wind engineering. Salna explains how the WOW connects high school students with FIU wind engineering alums and local engineering firms in the annual Wall of Wind Challenge.
Erik Salna, Introducing the NHERI Wall of Wind
Full episode, 42 minutes
Published August 1, 2024
