Wind load testing and engineering

Wind engineering

Wind engineering is the science that underpins wind loading testing. It enables experts to model local wind conditions and assess the effect on buildings.

Desk studies

Wind engineering will often simply involve undertaking a desk study. We examine the existing wind information and help you to decide whether a more detailed assessment through testing is needed.

Wind tunnel testing

Our test facilities are among the best in the UK. They include two atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnels in which natural wind can be simulated for environments ranging from open country to city centres. We make a model of your development and surrounding area, typically at a scale of 1:200 to 1:300. We can then predict the:

• Structural and cladding loads imposed on the building and its dynamic response to them.

• Pedestrian environment around the building.

• Optimal locations of ventilation inlets and exhausts.

• Dispersal and concentrations of pollutants expelled from the building.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

CFD is becoming a popular a tool for predicting air flows, particularly for internal conditions such as ventilation air flow. CFD is less useful for external wind conditions where gusting occurs, but can be a helpful supplement to wind tunnel testing.