Erik Salna & the NHERI Wall of Wind

On today's episode of DesignSafe Radio, we speak with meteorologist Erik Salna, the associate director of education and outreach for the Florida International University Extreme Events Institute and the International Hurricane Research Center. Salna introduces us to the Wall of Wind, a gigantic, 12-fan wind tunnel located at FIU — where it’s affectionately known as the “WOW.” The Wall of Wind is one of NHERI’s eleven research components funded by NSF.

The Wall of Wind can replicate hurricane winds as high as 157 mph and can spray water to imitate hurricane rainfall. Which means wind researchers can perform tests on structures with Category 5 hurricane wind speeds. Scientists use the WOW to understand the effects high winds have on civil infrastructures and what can be done to improve construction to withstand damaging winds.

- Tips to prepare your family & home for a hurricane:

https://www.weather.gov/people/salna-erik#:~:text=Erik%20Salna%20is%20a%20meteorologist,of%20hurricanes%2C%20tornadoes%20and%20flooding.

https://dem.fiu.edu/emergencies/hurricanes/before/

- Articles on Erik Salna & his research:

https://www.designsafe-ci.org/community/news/2020/february/salna-inducted-meteorologist-hall-fame/

https://mods.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BIO_SALNA_12-17-20.pdf

- NHERI Wall of Wind at Florida International University:

https://fiu.designsafe-ci.org/

Inside Look at the Wall of Wind: https://www.designsafe-ci.org/community/news/2019/december/fiu-wall-wind-featured-news/

See the WOW in action: https://newsarchives.fiu.edu/2016/07/imax-films-hurricane-force-winds-at-wall-of-wind

Wall of Wind Informational Booklet PDF: https://fiu.designsafe-ci.org/media/cms_page_media/359/NHERI%20WOW%20EF%20Informational%20Booklet.pdf

Social Media Accounts for FIU Extreme Events Institute: