Wall of wind built at FIU

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Florida International University's Research Facility has built a wind system that is capable of simulating category 5 hurricane type winds.

"This facility allows you to see ahead and see how structures will really behave in a category 5 hurricane," said an FIU professor.

This new system consists of 12 fans, each one with a diameter of 6 feet across, will try to help builders in the future to build stronger homes, buildings and bridges. "We have come a long way after Hurricane Andrew," said FIU Professor, Arindam Chowdhury. "With this system we can test those kind of buildings, the roof, the walls, the windows, to see again the weak links."

This is the only university research facility in the world capable of simulating category 5 hurricane type winds.

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