Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), NSF NHERI 2024: Modernizing Wind-Driven Rain Fenestration Testing: Redesigning a High Airflow Pressure Loading Actuator

This project focused on redesigning a test apparatus for wind-driven rain water ingress through building fenestrations. The purpose was to create a starting point for a new apparatus to be constructed based on increasing the size and potential specimen variety of the existing High Airflow Pressure Loading Actuator at the University of Florida’s Powell Family Structures and Materials Laboratory. The results compiled in this project may be used in future pressure-loading actuator system design and construction, especially focusing on the airflow and water flow systems within a water ingress testing apparatus. This project is aimed at an audience of researchers interested in pressure loading actuator design, but is written with the intention to be understandable to those with varied or no backgrounds in STEM and research.