The Southeastern United States has historically been fertile ground for devastating hurricanes and tornadoes, and over the past decade, the severity and frequency of these killer storms have appeared to be on the rise. Clemson has one of the top research facilities in the nation designed specifically to study and mediate the effects of high winds on low-rise structures such as homes and schools. The Clemson facility is unique in that it's the only one in the nation able to give a complete picture of the effects of wind on low-rise structures.
Investigators measure both the strength of the wind load and the resistance of the building itself.
The project studies ways rooms can be strengthened during initial construction or through the retrofit of existing homes. Studies approximating the effect of larger trees will eventually be tested. The same column barely takes a bite out of a metal-reinforced panel. For a person asleep in a bed, that 3-foot differential could mean the difference between life and death. Roofs and other components will, of course, give additional levels of protection and will be factored into the final recommendations.