Tornado generator

Constructed in 2016, the Birmingham tornado generator is a large scale facility in which tornado-like winds can be generated.  

To date, this facility has been used to understand the wind induced forces on low-rise buildings and the particle paths undertaken by debris embedded within a tornado-like flow field.

The key features of the generator are:   

• A vortex chamber of dimensions 3m by 3m.

• Top speeds of up to 10 m/s.
• Model scale between 1/1500  and 1/50
• Pressure, velocity, force and particle tracking measurements.

For additional information, please contact Professor Mark Sterling.