The WindEEE Research Institute

Western University (The University of Western Ontario), London, Ontario
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 (renewable and fossil)
  • 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 facility 

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

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…

New storm patterns require new wind engineering

http://www.trust.org/item/20131029170556-lg0ta/

Wind: The Invisible Force

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04tqghf

Myth or Science 4: In the Eye of the Storm

http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/features/how-do-you-create-a-tornado

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