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
  • 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 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.

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