$17 MILLION INVESTMENT ENABLES

High-speed holistic testing at multiple scales in simulated tropical cyclone wind speeds up to and including Category 5.

Destructive tests to study failure modes.

Wind-driven rain simulations to study water intrusion. Hail simulations to study damage.

Full and large-scale aerodynamics/aeroelastic testing in atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) flows at high Reynolds numbers.

Testing under extreme environments to develop innovative mitigation devices and retrofitting products.

Conventional boundary layer wind tunnel testing in flows with various exposures and with full turbulence spectrum.

Although the primary purpose of the investment is to support crucial research on wind, rain, and hail, the simulation also presents an opportunity to enhance the commercial prospects of the Cyclone Testing Station. These possibilities include:

• Commercial testing of building facades (weather proofing)

• Commercial testing and research for bushfire ember attack

• Wind driven dust simulation.

• Hostile climate testing and training for military purposes

• Testing crops for resillance to wind and rain events.