Hurricanes experienced in Cambridge
A
Cambridge Consultants product story
Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team
Jun 27, 2006
Cambridge Consultants is testing its novel wind simulator, before delivery to The University of Western Ontario (Western) for pioneering research into wind damage on low-rise buildings.
Following a year of design and development work, Cambridge Consultants is testing its novel wind simulator, before delivery to The University of Western Ontario (Western) for pioneering research into wind damage on low-rise buildings.
With advice on wind behaviour from RWDI-Anemos, Cambridge Consultants has devised a unique wind simulation system that is capable of varying the speed and direction of air flow up to seven times a second.
This allows an array of actuators to emulate the real-life swirling effects of destructive winds.
The design can also dynamically adjust flow rate to maintain pressure - even as a structure begins to disintegrate.
The results of Western's research are expected to lead to more formal techniques for weather-proofing low-rise buildings in hurricane prone areas.
The simulator takes the form of modular pressure actuators, which are mounted against the exterior surface of a test structure.
Each actuator can generate pressures equivalent to a category 5 hurricane, enabling realistic loads to be applied to full-size buildings for the first time.
A real-time control system, also being developed by Cambridge Consultants, will enable arrays of actuators to be co-ordinated to simulate complex wind effects over the entire surface of a test structure.
Western will use this simulation technology to apply realistic wind patterns onto real-world structures, beginning with a two-storey, pitched-roof dwelling currently nearing completion at 'The Three Little Pigs' research facility in London, Ontario.
Following completion of Cambridge Consultants' development tests, Western expects to start commissioning the simulator this summer, using an initial batch of 10 actuators on a rig that will become a permanent facility for testing building materials.
Around 100 modular actuators will then be fabricated, to create a wind simulator large enough to test complete low-rise buildings.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Google Ads
Contact Cambridge Consultants
Related Stories
- ACO Alucover quality access covers are affordable
- Johnson and Starley's new RenoXtra explained
- Priva Scoops Building Control Innovation Award
- Efficient Multifit GasSaver from Baxi
- Baxi Bermuda boilers save on energy bills
Articles by product category
-
Building Industry News (5,815)
- Building Industry News (56)
- Building Trade Associations and Institutes (2,258)
- Building Industry Events and Training (659)
- Building Energy Efficiency and Sustainability (882)
- Building Industry Health and Safety (340)
- Building Industry QA and Benchmarks (238)
- Building Regulations and Accreditation (301)
- Building Industry Research and Materials Testing (351)
- Building Industry Finance, Law and Insurance (306)
- Design and Build (8)
- Building Industry Contract Opportunities (46)
- Building Industry Recruitment (279)
- Building Industry Publications (88)
-
Information Technology (2,312)
- Information Technology (1)
- Infrastructure and CAD Software (1,167)
- Hardware (455)
- Business Software (266)
- Estimating Software (141)
- Building and Site Management (118)
- Remote Data Collection and Data Storage (33)
- Thermal Imaging, Aerial Surveys and Mapping (128)
-
Building Structures and Products (10,353)
- Building Structures and Products (30)
- Walls (531)
- Floors (1,099)
- Ceilings (272)
- Roofing and Roofllights (1,280)
- Lifts, Stairlifts and Escalators (281)
- Stairs, Loft Ladders and Escalators (21)
- Window Systems (1,091)
- Cladding, Facades and Mouldings (517)
- Insulation (613)
- Builders Merchants and Construction Materials (768)
- Architectural Ironmongery (313)
- Paints, Coatings and Finishes (473)
- Bricks, Blocks and Lintels (679)
- Balconies, Canopies and Railings (40)
- Partitions (107)
- Doors, Shutters, Air Curtains and Screens (398)
- Soffits, Fascias and Gutterings (154)
- Movable walls (37)
- Structural Fixings and Fasteners (255)
- Waterproofing, Sealants and Adhesives (461)
- Windows - uPVC (407)
- Windows - Aluminium and Steel (96)
- Windows - Timber (111)
- Glass (314)
-
Building Services (7,664)
- Building Services (8)
- Electrical Services (1,325)
- Plumbing Services (348)
- Lighting Services (674)
- Heating Systems, Controls and Management (1,512)
- Gas Services (138)
- Ventilation Services (232)
- Air Conditioning Services (151)
- Waste Services and Water Storage (120)
- Drainage Services (255)
- Construction Companies and Consultants (975)
- Refurbishment and Shopfitting (211)
- Facility Management and Building Services (253)
- Housing, Regeneration and Developments (213)
- Acoustics, Noise and Vibration Control (324)
- Architectural Services (279)
- Design and Build Services (334)
- Solar Energy Services (90)
- Building Automation and Control (155)
- Underfloor Heating (63)
- Utilities (4)
- Building Systems (894)
- Security and Fire Protection (1,952)
-
Site Preparation (1,404)
- Concrete, Cement, Admixtures (304)
- Drainage, Footings and Piling (111)
- Pipes (330)
- Surveying (57)
- Materials Handling (362)
- Utilities - Gas, Electric, Water, Telephone (165)
- Demolition, Waste Managment and Recycling (73)
- Landscaping (391)
-
Plant, Equipment and Hire (1,287)
- Plant, Equipment and Hire (40)
- Cranes, Hoists (82)
- Hand Tools (141)
- Power Tools (455)
- Trucks, Trailers, Dredgers and Excavators (83)
- Pumps and Compressors (206)
- Drilling and Cutting Equipment (88)
- Access Systems - Ladders, Trestles and Scaffolding (192)
-
Civil Engineering (1,117)
- Ground Engineering (229)
- Roads, Bridges and Tunnels (64)
- Water Treatment (55)
- Technical Equipment (97)
- Flood Defences (24)
- Surveyors and Consultants (342)
- Materials (303)
-
Interiors (815)
- Lighting (59)
- Kitchens (153)
- Bathrooms and Washrooms (189)
- Contract Furniture (47)
- Floor Coverings (68)
- Interior Design and Construction (35)
- Desking and Seating (6)
- Interior Doors and Windows (83)
- Gardens and Patios (8)
- Renovation and Restoration (4)
- Staircases (18)
- Storage Services (2)
- Wall Coverings and Tiles (87)
- Conservatories (56)
