1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,340 Welcome back everybody for another deep dive. 2 00:00:02,340 --> 00:00:04,560 This time we're tackling something, 3 00:00:04,560 --> 00:00:06,080 something you might not think about every day, 4 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:08,440 but it's incredibly important when it comes to 5 00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:10,240 the places we live and work, 6 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:13,680 wind gusts and how they affect building codes. 7 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:16,120 I mean, have you ever wondered how engineers 8 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:19,080 make sure a skyscraper can survive a hurricane? 9 00:00:19,080 --> 00:00:20,840 It's gotta be more complicated 10 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:22,680 than just looking at like average wind speed, right? 11 00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:23,520 Oh, it definitely is. 12 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:26,000 When you're talking about designing any structure really, 13 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:29,480 but especially in places that see strong winds, 14 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:31,560 understanding gusts is absolutely essential. 15 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:32,720 Okay, so let's break that down a bit. 16 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:34,400 I feel like we always hear about wind speed. 17 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:35,240 Yeah. 18 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:38,000 But what other forces are we dealing with here 19 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:39,160 when it comes to wind? 20 00:00:39,160 --> 00:00:40,440 So think of it this way. 21 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:43,400 If you were to push on a wall with constant pressure, 22 00:00:43,400 --> 00:00:45,560 that's kind of like average wind speed. 23 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:47,560 But if you give it a sudden hard shove, 24 00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:49,400 that's more like a gust. 25 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:53,520 Those short bursts of high speed can be way stronger. 26 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:55,720 And they put a lot more stress on a building 27 00:00:55,720 --> 00:00:57,800 compared to just the average wind. 28 00:00:57,800 --> 00:00:59,680 And on top of that, you've got turbulence, 29 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:03,120 which is kind of the chaotic swirling motion of the wind. 30 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:06,120 And that adds yet another layer of complexity 31 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,720 to the forces acting on a building. 32 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:10,840 So it's like the difference between a gentle breeze 33 00:01:10,840 --> 00:01:13,880 and then suddenly getting slammed by a door on a windy day, 34 00:01:13,880 --> 00:01:16,640 and then picture a bunch of those doors just swirling around, 35 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:18,240 pushing and pulling from all directions. 36 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:19,080 Exactly. 37 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:20,960 So you can see why just measuring wind speed 38 00:01:20,960 --> 00:01:23,040 isn't enough information for engineers. 39 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:23,880 For sure. 40 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:26,320 So that how do engineers even begin to measure 41 00:01:26,320 --> 00:01:29,200 an account for all of that when they're designing a building? 42 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:30,280 Sounds like a nightmare. 43 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:32,640 Well, that's where standardized wind measurements come in, 44 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:35,520 and something called gust factors. 45 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:38,160 Standardized measurements allow us to compare wind data 46 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:39,880 from different parts of the world 47 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:41,960 and make sure that buildings are being designed 48 00:01:41,960 --> 00:01:43,360 to a consistent standard. 49 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:46,320 It's kind of like having a universal language for wind. 50 00:01:46,320 --> 00:01:48,920 So instead of everyone speaking different wind languages, 51 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:51,400 we have this common ground to make sure buildings are safe 52 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:52,880 no matter where they are. 53 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:54,040 Precisely. 54 00:01:54,040 --> 00:01:56,360 One good example of this is a framework 55 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:58,360 that's described in a research paper called 56 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:01,520 an analytical framework for the investigation of tropical cyclone 57 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:03,400 wind character. 58 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:05,200 This framework basically gives us a way 59 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:07,840 to understand and compare the characteristics of wind 60 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:09,440 from different storms. 61 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:12,120 It uses standard conditions like something called roughness 62 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:15,760 length, the observation duration for average wind speed, 63 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:18,680 and a specific averaging time for gusts, 64 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:20,560 all measured at a height of 10 meters. 65 00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:22,280 So it's like converting different currencies 66 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:23,800 so we can all understand each other. 67 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:25,920 But what about those gust factors you mentioned? 68 00:02:25,920 --> 00:02:26,960 Right. 69 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:29,840 So gust factors help engineers understand 70 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:33,720 how much stronger a gust can be compared to the average wind 71 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:34,600 speed. 72 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:37,040 For example, a gust factor of 1.5 73 00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:40,120 means the gust speed could be up to 50% stronger 74 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:41,840 than the average wind speed. 75 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:44,200 So it's a really critical factor in figuring out 76 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:46,960 the true wind loads that a building might experience. 77 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,440 So it's not enough to just know how fast the wind's 78 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:50,560 blowing on average. 79 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:53,320 You need to know how much stronger those gusts can get. 80 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:55,440 Now make sure the building can handle those sudden bursts 81 00:02:55,440 --> 00:02:56,080 of force. 82 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:57,200 Exactly. 83 00:02:57,200 --> 00:02:59,200 And building codes use this information 84 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:02,240 to specify different safety standards for different regions 85 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:05,280 based on what kind of wind conditions they can expect. 86 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,720 And it's not just about the strength of the gusts themselves. 87 00:03:07,720 --> 00:03:09,640 It's also about how they're distributed. 88 00:03:09,640 --> 00:03:11,120 For example, one study that looked 89 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:13,520 at the wind characteristics of typhoons and hurricanes 90 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:15,080 found some pretty interesting differences. 91 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:15,680 Oh, wow. 92 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:18,600 So even though they're both incredibly powerful storms, 93 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:20,920 there are some key differences in how their winds actually 94 00:03:20,920 --> 00:03:21,520 behave. 95 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:22,480 Exactly. 96 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:26,160 While typhoons tend to have stronger winds overall on average, 97 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:28,880 hurricanes actually have what we call slightly larger integral 98 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:30,080 length scales. 99 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:31,000 OK. 100 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:33,080 And I know that sounds a little bit complicated. 101 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:35,840 But basically what that means is that the gusts in a hurricane 102 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:39,040 are more likely to affect a larger portion of a building 103 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:42,680 all at the same time, creating a greater overall force. 104 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:44,960 So it's not just about how hard the wind hits, 105 00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:47,920 but also how much of the building it hits at once. 106 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:48,160 Yeah. 107 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:49,080 I guess that makes sense. 108 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:49,480 Great. 109 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:52,000 So those subtle differences mean engineers 110 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:53,960 need to use different approaches for different types 111 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:54,640 of storms. 112 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:56,400 Yeah, absolutely. 113 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:58,400 And things get even trickier when 114 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:00,440 you start to factor in the location. 115 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:03,360 Coastal areas, for example, have some pretty unique wind 116 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:06,760 challenges because of how the wind and the waves interact. 117 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:09,360 So building on the coast is like playing Wind Force Jenga 118 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:10,280 on a roller coaster. 119 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:11,240 Pretty much. 120 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:13,200 What's really fascinating is that wind direction 121 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:15,920 can actually have a huge impact on gust factors 122 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:16,960 in coastal areas. 123 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:19,280 You know, imagine you're standing on a beach. 124 00:04:19,280 --> 00:04:22,160 If the wind's blowing straight at you from the ocean, 125 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:24,160 it's going to feel much stronger than if it's 126 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:25,560 blowing along the coast, right? 127 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:26,520 Yeah, for sure. 128 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:29,440 And that's because of something called wave refraction. 129 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:31,400 When waves hit the shoreline, they 130 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:34,480 tend to sort of align themselves parallel to the coast. 131 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:37,240 So when the wind's blowing perpendicular to the shore, 132 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:39,600 it's also perpendicular to those waves. 133 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:43,160 And that creates much stronger gusts and turbulence. 134 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:45,280 So a building facing the open ocean 135 00:04:45,280 --> 00:04:47,360 might be experiencing totally different wind forces 136 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:49,160 than one facing along the coast, even 137 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:50,320 if they're right next to each other. 138 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:51,040 Exactly. 139 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:55,280 It really highlights just how complex wind loads can be 140 00:04:55,280 --> 00:04:57,320 and why it's so important to really understand 141 00:04:57,320 --> 00:05:00,320 the local conditions when you're designing structures that 142 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:02,320 need to be safe and resilient. 143 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:04,480 And all of this information ultimately 144 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:06,520 gets incorporated into building codes. 145 00:05:06,520 --> 00:05:07,080 OK. 146 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:08,760 So let's bring it all back to building codes. 147 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:12,160 We've talked about gusts and gust factors and turbulence 148 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:14,560 and how all of these forces can vary wildly depending 149 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:16,880 on the location and the type of storm. 150 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:20,600 So how do building codes take all of this complex science 151 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:22,680 and translate it into practical guidelines 152 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:24,640 to make sure that buildings are actually safe? 153 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:27,360 So building codes are kind of like a constantly evolving 154 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:29,600 instruction manual for engineers. 155 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:31,800 They're there to make sure that buildings can withstand 156 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:35,160 the specific wind conditions that are expected in their location. 157 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:37,080 They take all of that scientific research, 158 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:40,680 all the data on wind speeds and gusts and turbulence, 159 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:43,960 and even things like the terrain and the height of the building. 160 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:45,280 And they basically distill it down 161 00:05:45,280 --> 00:05:47,880 into a set of rules that engineers can follow. 162 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:49,720 So it's like a cheat sheet, but based 163 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:51,840 on years of research and experience 164 00:05:51,840 --> 00:05:53,960 to make sure buildings can handle pretty much anything 165 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:55,280 Mother Nature throws at them. 166 00:05:55,280 --> 00:05:56,360 Exactly. 167 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:57,960 And different regions have different codes 168 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:00,160 based on their own unique wind climates. 169 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:01,720 For example, here in the United States, 170 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:04,560 we use the American Society of Civil Engineers, 171 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:07,000 which is known as ACE 710. 172 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:09,160 And in Japan, they use the Architectural Institute 173 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:11,800 of Japan recommendations for Loads on Buildings, 174 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:14,760 or AIJRLB 2004. 175 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:16,680 It makes sense that different parts of the world 176 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:19,600 would need different codes based on the types of winds 177 00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:20,560 they experience. 178 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:23,280 So it's not just some random rules pulled out of thin air. 179 00:06:23,280 --> 00:06:25,680 It's based on real science in years and years 180 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:26,800 of data collection. 181 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:27,760 Oh, absolutely. 182 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:30,640 It's a constant process of analyzing data, 183 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:33,520 refining those models, and updating the codes 184 00:06:33,520 --> 00:06:36,000 to reflect what we know about wind behavior. 185 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:38,160 And with climate change and how it's leading 186 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:41,200 to more intense storms, that's a really important factor. 187 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:43,320 So it's always evolving to try and keep up 188 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:45,080 with our changing world. 189 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:48,200 But that also makes me wonder, with climate change, 190 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:51,280 causing those more extreme weather events, 191 00:06:51,280 --> 00:06:54,000 are we going to need even stronger, even more resilient 192 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:55,280 buildings in the future? 193 00:06:55,280 --> 00:06:56,720 That's a great question. 194 00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:58,960 And a topic for another deep dive, perhaps. 195 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:00,680 But it's safe to say that understanding 196 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:04,680 those powerful forces of wind and how to adapt to them 197 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:06,960 is going to continue to be a really critical challenge 198 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:09,960 for architects and engineers as we build for the future. 199 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:12,360 You know, it's amazing to think that something we can't even 200 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:14,960 see can have such a powerful impact on the buildings 201 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:16,440 we rely on every day. 202 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:17,400 Yeah, it really is. 203 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:20,400 It really highlights just how many incredible forces of nature 204 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:22,480 are constantly at play all around us. 205 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:23,160 Seriously. 206 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:25,200 I mean, I used to just walk into a building 207 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:27,040 without even thinking twice about it. 208 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:29,200 But now I can't help but picture all those invisible wind 209 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:31,000 forces pushing and pulling on it. 210 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:32,520 Well, I think that's a good thing. 211 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:34,480 It shows you have a newfound appreciation 212 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:37,400 for how complex the built environment really is. 213 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:39,480 Every structure, from a simple house 214 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:42,320 to a massive skyscraper, it's designed 215 00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:44,520 to withstand those unseen forces. 216 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:47,280 It really makes you appreciate the work that engineers do. 217 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:49,920 I mean, they're like the guardians of our built world, 218 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:52,320 making sure those structures can stand up to whatever 219 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:53,560 the wind throws at them. 220 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:54,480 Absolutely. 221 00:07:54,480 --> 00:07:56,520 They're using science and ingenuity 222 00:07:56,520 --> 00:08:00,040 to create buildings that can not only withstand the wind, 223 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:02,280 but actually adapt to it in some cases. 224 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:04,080 For example, some modern buildings 225 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:07,200 use flexible materials or special design features that 226 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:09,200 can actually adjust to changing wind loads. 227 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:11,560 It's like they bend with the wind instead of breaking. 228 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:12,600 Wow, that's incredible. 229 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:15,040 It's like we're learning to work with nature instead of just 230 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:16,520 always trying to fight against it. 231 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:17,800 Exactly. 232 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:20,440 And as we learn more about how wind behaves 233 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:22,520 and how climate change is affecting things, 234 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:24,760 we can keep refining those building codes and design 235 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:28,440 strategies to create even more resilient structures. 236 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:31,520 So we talked about all this complex science and engineering. 237 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:34,520 But what does it actually mean for the average person? 238 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:37,040 What can we do to make sure our homes and communities are 239 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:39,600 prepared for all these wind challenges 240 00:08:39,600 --> 00:08:40,680 in a changing climate? 241 00:08:40,680 --> 00:08:42,280 That's a great question. 242 00:08:42,280 --> 00:08:46,240 I think for starters, just being aware of these forces at play 243 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:47,560 is a huge step. 244 00:08:47,560 --> 00:08:50,000 Understanding how wind can impact buildings 245 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:52,840 and knowing why building codes are so important, 246 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:54,440 that's a really good foundation. 247 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:56,960 So knowledge is power when it comes to wind. 248 00:08:56,960 --> 00:08:57,840 Absolutely. 249 00:08:57,840 --> 00:08:59,680 And beyond that, there are definitely 250 00:08:59,680 --> 00:09:01,240 things we can do on a personal level 251 00:09:01,240 --> 00:09:03,560 to make our homes more wind resistant. 252 00:09:03,560 --> 00:09:05,400 Simple things like trimming trees that 253 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:09,160 are too close to your house, reinforcing your garage door, 254 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:12,120 and just making sure that your roof is properly secured, 255 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:15,040 all of those things can make a big difference in protecting 256 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:16,520 your home from wind damage. 257 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:18,520 It sounds like taking a few proactive steps 258 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:20,280 can really pay off in the long run. 259 00:09:20,280 --> 00:09:21,040 Definitely. 260 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:23,560 And on a larger scale, it's important to support policies 261 00:09:23,560 --> 00:09:26,360 that prioritize climate resilience and construction. 262 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:28,160 We need to make sure our communities are 263 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:31,080 prepared for the challenges of a changing climate. 264 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:33,680 And that includes building for a windier future. 265 00:09:33,680 --> 00:09:36,000 This has been such an eye-opening deep dive. 266 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,840 We've gone from the basic science of wind gusts, 267 00:09:38,840 --> 00:09:41,120 all the way to the cutting edge engineering 268 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:44,400 of those super wind resistant structures. 269 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:46,560 I feel like I have a whole new perspective 270 00:09:46,560 --> 00:09:49,120 on those invisible forces that shape our world. 271 00:09:49,120 --> 00:09:49,920 Me too. 272 00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:51,800 And remember, this is just the beginning 273 00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:52,640 of the conversation. 274 00:09:52,640 --> 00:09:54,680 There's always more to learn and explore 275 00:09:54,680 --> 00:09:57,560 when it comes to how wind and the built environment interact. 276 00:09:57,560 --> 00:09:58,360 For sure. 277 00:09:58,360 --> 00:10:00,760 I can't wait to uncover more of the mysteries of wind 278 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:02,560 in future deep dives. 279 00:10:02,560 --> 00:10:04,480 But for now, let's all take a moment 280 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,000 to appreciate the incredible science and engineering that 281 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:09,120 goes into keeping us safe from the wind. 282 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:11,840 Until next time, stay curious. 283 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:38,120 And never underestimate the power of the invisible.