What the facility does
Physical simulation of extreme winds (e.g. tornadoes, downbursts) and other complex flow fields coupled with state-of-the-art visualization and measurement techniques.
Areas of expertise
Facility capabilities:
- Physical simulation of extreme winds like tornadoes (EF0 to EF3) and downbursts at various geometric scales
- Physical simulation of atmospheric boundary layer winds at various geometric scales
- Physical simulation of complex 3D flow fields (flow separation, topography-specific, etc.)
- Characterization of flow fields and their effects on structures using state-of-the-art instrumentation and advanced measurement techniques
Wind engineering research:
- Effects of highly transient winds on structures
- Dynamics of tornadoes and downbursts
- Atmospheric boundary layer winds
Wind energy research:
- Topography and canopy wind effects on wind turbines
- Wind resource assessment and optimization of wind farms
- Performance testing of small-scale wind turbines
Wind environment research:
- Urban winds, flows in forest canopies and other complex environments
- Wind-solar-geothermal integration
- Building envelope
Research services
- Full-service operation of facilities and equipment (research-ready status)
- Support for prototype and test apparatus fabrication
- Support for test data acquisition and analysis
- Personnel training and knowledge sharing through wide range of collaborations and events
- Consulting on wide range of topics related to wind engineering, energy and environment
- Connecting industry partners to latest research findings
Sectors of application
- Aerospace and satellites
- Automotive
- Clean technology
- Construction (including building, civil engineering, specialty trades)
- Education
- Energy
- Environmental technologies and related services
- Forestry and forest-based industries
- Manufacturing and processing
- Policy and governance
- Professional and technical services (including legal services, architecture, engineering)
- Utilities
Specialized labs and equipment
| Specialized lab | Equipment | Function |
|---|---|---|
| WindEEE Dome | Large-scale test chamber | Simulation of extreme winds (tornados, downbursts) and other complex 3D flow fields. |
| Pressure scanning system | High channel count pressure measurements | |
| Data acquisition system | High resolution, high channel count measurements supporting wide range of sensors. | |
| Multi-hole pressure probes | 3D flow measurements. | |
| Short-range windscanner system | Mobile LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) measurements. | |
| Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV) system | Large-scale particle imaging velocimetry measurements. | |
| Particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) system | Large-scale particle tracking velocimetry measurements. | |
| Flow visualization systems | Helium bubbles and smoke-based flow visualization. | |
| Weather monitoring system | Complete mobile weather monitoring system. | |
| CNC hotwire | 3D foam cutting fabrication. | |
| CNC 4-axis router | 4-axis foam carving fabrication. | |
| WindEEE Dome Scale Model | Scale model test chamber | Fully functional 1:11 scale model of WindEEE test chamber. |
Additional information
| Title | URL |
|---|---|
| Summoning the storm: By simulating intense winds and weather, a research facility at Western University tests how buildings will hold up under catastrophic conditions. | https://www.innovation.ca/projects-results/research-stories/summoning-storm-wind-engineering-energy… |
| We Stress-Tested Drones In a High-Tech Wind Vortex. | http://motherboard.vice.com/read/we-stress-tested-drones-in-a-high-tech-wind-vortex |
| Bottling Tornadoes to Inform Structural Design. | http://enr.construction.com/people/awards/2015/0126-Bottling-tornadoes-toinform-structural-Design.a… |
| These DIY tornadoes are designed to improve the stability of buildings. | http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2015/07/start/diy-tornadoes |
| Inside a tornado simulator. | https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2272143427909 |