At Florida International University's Wall of Wind facility, engineers are deliberately destroying manufactured homes. Using 12 massive fans that generate winds up to 157 mph with driving rain, they observe how the structures fail—from fluttering siding to snapping straps and overturning. The goal is to identify simple changes in installation that could help these homes withstand stronger hurricanes and tornadoes.
Manufactured homes are typically raised on piers rather than poured foundations, making their wind resistance depend heavily on supports, straps, and anchors. Many of the 6.7 million such homes in the U.S. were built before 1994, when Hurricane Andrew prompted stronger federal wind standards, but securing requirements still vary by location. Lead researcher Elaina Sutley of the University of Kansas, who survived a deadly tornado outbreak in 2011, says the work addresses a gap: buildings are not generally designed to withstand tornadoes.
The tests come as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme wind events. Researchers hope the findings will inform better installation practices and standards, particularly for the millions of Americans in housing that is disproportionately exposed to climate hazards. The source, Grist, reports the experiments are ongoing and co-published with The Miami Herald.