MsRI-EW: Conference to Identify Research Infrastructure Concepts for a National Full-Scale 200 mph Wind and Wind-Water Testing Facility

To address windstorm related hazards (e.g., high wind, surge, wave, debris, flood, rain) as one of the grand challenges in U.S. engineering research, a Mid-Scale Research Infrastructure (MsRI) conference was held to (a) identify gaps in existing mid-scale research infrastructure, and (b) as-sess design options for and the economic and technical feasibility of a “Full-Scale 200 mph Wind and Wind-Water Testing Facility.” A multi-disciplinary group of 50+ experts (APPENDIX A) convened virtually for two days to “dream big” and consider the potential need for such a national facility. The conference agenda (APPENDIX B) was designed to define the need for the MsRI for full-scale testing of buildings and other structures under the combined effects of hurricane’s multi-hazards, including wind, rain, debris, surge, wave, and flooding. The research areas to be enabled by such a unique MsRI facility had to be carefully evaluated, revised (as needed), and augmented to identify current and emerging knowledge gaps. The conference aimed to develop an overview of an MsRI facility that can deliver unparalleled full-scale holistic testing capabilities to realistically investigate real-world systems or sub-systems under a hurricane’s multiple component stresses.