Typical projects:

• High rise / tall buildings
• Long span roofs
• Fabric roof structures
• Long span bridges
• Other tall or wind sensitive structures

RWDI identifies and solves problems related to:

• Glazing
• Cladding
• Structural systems

RWDI resources include:

Wind Tunnel Testing

Wind tunnel testing determines wind loading information for wall cladding, roof systems, soffits, and skylights; wind suctions or pressures at building intakes, exhausts, and at doorways; and mean and fluctuating wind forces and torques on the structural system.

Instrumentation

Measurement tools such as hot-wire anemometers, surface velocity sensors, high-frequency force-balances, and strain gauges enable accurate testing. RWDI's Synchronous Pressure Acquisition Network instantaneously measures several hundred pressures simultaneously on a scale model.

Statistical Models

Extensive library of meteorological information for developing statistical models.

In-House Software

RWDI's software, created through extensive research and development, transforms the complex dynamic loads that occur on structures such as tall buildings, large span roofs, fabric structures and long span bridges into equivalent static wind load distributions readily used by structural engineers.

What RWDI can do for you:

Consultations / Design Reviews

Early in the design process, review information and provide recommendations to anticipate and avoid potential problems.

Design Wind Load Calculations 

Early in the design process, estimate wind loads on unusual buildings and structures through calculations based on the most recent research and RWDI's extensive database from past wind tunnel studies.

Wind Pressure Study

Determine local wind loads, suctions or pressures by combining data from wind tunnel testing with statistical models of the local wind climate.

High-Frequency Pressure Integration Study

Determine the wind loads on the main structural system using fluctuating wind forces and torques determined from pressure patterns measured on the wind pressure model.

High-Frequency Force-Balance Study

Determine the wind loads on the main structural system by measuring fluctuating wind forces, moments and torque on a lightweight wind tunnel model mounted on a force-balance with a high-frequency response.

Structural Development Assistance

Provide advice to the structural engineer to aid in the optimization of a structure's design.

Wind Vibration

Evaluate the potential for wind-induced vibration of building appendages such as spires, canopies and sunshades, and if necessary, undertake aeroelastic model tests.

Expert Testimony

Specialists provide testimony at hearings and court cases.

Additional information: