UF Builds Fan Bank for Wind Tunnel Capable of Simulating Hurricane-Force Winds

The University of Florida is looking to bring itself to the forefront of wind hazard and hurricane research with a newly constructed fan bank.

The fan bank, located in the Powell Family Structures and Materials Laboratory, consists of 319 individually controlled fans that can simulate a variety of wind conditions, such as those occurring from severe storms and tornadoes, said Kurtis Gurley, associate director of UF’s Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment.

A majority of the funding for the project came from a Major Research Instrumentation Program grant just under $1 million. It was awarded to the university by the National Science Foundation, Gurley said.

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