Leveraging the unique research capabilities enabled through our wide range of facilities, WindEEE has identified the following six priority research areas:
I. Severe storm hazards: Advance innovative severe weather hazard research on synoptic (large-scale weather systems such as hurricanes) and non-synoptic (local thunderstorms such as tornado and downburst) storm systems. Study their impacts on the performance of the built and natural environments at WindEEE’s controlled, scalable, and repeatable laboratory environment.
II. Computational modeling: Support innovative research on computational wind and climate engineering to address multi-physics, multi-scale climate related limitations in physical testing. Work towards realization of digital twins (such as digital wind tunnel, – buildings and – civil infrastructure) to enable optimal design/retrofit/operations, outreach, and decision-making processes.
III. Wind damage mitigation and passive architectural design: Develop innovative aerodynamic design and retrofit methods and wind mitigation technology to limit the damage caused by severe weather and contribute to green passive building technology and renewable energy (solar and wind) to limit the carbon footprint of the built environment.
IV. Performance-based design: Enable comprehensive performance-based wind design consistent with design for other stressors such as fire, earthquake, and blast.
V. Climate change impact assessment: Enable climate change impact assessments on wind and climate testing methods, and design and retrofit approaches used by industry and government.
VI. Training the next generation: Train a diverse group of future wind and climate engineers to advance the energy performance and resilience of buildings and civil infrastructures and mitigating the effects of climate on the built environment. Engage with the K-12 community to encourage underrepresented groups to enter these fields.
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