Research Projects

Cyclones are inward spiraling winds that rotate around a low-pressure zone, generating high winds that come into contact with surrounding loose objects, leading to the generation of wind-borne debris. These debris can be small or large, and their weights can range from 2 gm to 50 kg. Therefore, exterior windows, glazed curtain walls, doors, and cladding elements are necessary for building façades to be tested and verified for wind-borne debris impact. India is in the final stage of developing a test procedure based on ASTM E 1886 and 1996 and Australian Standards – AS 1170.2 – 2011. This research needs to develop an indigenous automatic testing machine for evaluating the response of façades to wind-borne debris. Two types of test devices will be developed: one for firing small missiles (pebbles/hard particles) of 8-10 mm diameters made with solid steel spheres and another for firing large missiles (lumbar) made of soft wood. The complete setup for testing glass against wind-borne debris will include an air compressor for compressed air supply, an automated launch pressure chamber with accessories for firing large missiles, a support frame and test frame, and a speed measuring device for measuring the impact speed of missiles. The proposed device will use compressed air to propel small and large missiles, and the barrel of the chamber will effectively handle the size and length requirements of both types. A well-tuned system will be available to cater to the need of testing glass façades with wind-borne debris.