Climate

At the Wall of Wind, engineers blow homes apart to learn how to save them

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 21/10/2026, 08:45:24 UTC.

Briefings

Engineers at Florida International University used hurricane-force winds to test how manufactured homes fail, revealing that current anchoring systems are insufficient for extreme weather. The study involved three homes anchored to concrete piers, where the last three support blocks snapped in unison during a test on May 13. This research aims to inform safer installation standards for over 20 million Americans living in these structures.

Key points

• Three manufactured homes were anchored to concrete piers at Florida International University's Wall of Wind facility.
• The test involved driving rain and winds up to 157 mph, resulting in the failure of the last three support blocks.

Context

This research by Reshma Kirpalani Sutley and her team at the University of Kansas investigates why manufactured homes fail during extreme weather, using wind tunnel testing to identify vulnerabilities in current anchoring systems.

Limitations

The study relies on a single facility test with three homes; long-term durability data beyond the test period is unavailable.

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