Wind and Hurricane Impacts Research Laboratory (WHIRL)

Jean-Paul Pinelli, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Civil Engineering, Director

WHIRL is dedicated to the study of the effects and impacts of windstorms, including hurricanes, tornadoes and thunderstorms, and other related meteorological hazards (e.g., flooding and tidal surges) on the natural environment and man-made structures. The laboratory involves a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists and business experts. It takes advantage of a geographic location in the heart of Florida’s Space Coast to serve the needs of industry, government and the public in wind hazard mitigation. The laboratory’s activities include research on mitigation of losses of life, property and the environment; education of the public through dissemination of information; and the development of a multidisciplinary program of study focused on wind engineering and wind-related socioeconomic studies and analyses.

Research topics in the laboratory include action of strong winds and storm surges on structures; evaluation of codes, standards and retrofitting techniques for buildings and infrastructure systems; risk assessment for existing structures, coastal erosion, sediment transport and environmental damage due to storm surges and floods; development of remote sensing tools for assessing and monitoring hurricane damage, wind speed and flood levels; fundamental wind and meteorological research; wind tunnel modeling and testing; and statistical studies, analysis of economic impacts and development of potential damage maps for hurricane hazards in Florida.