Can an architectural model be used in the wind tunnel?

MiscellaneousBuilding 200x300Typically, no. The architectural model is usually not strong enough for use in a boundary-layer wind tunnel where velocities are typically in the range of 15 to 30 m/s. Also, the model will commonly need to have hundreds of pressure taps installed over its surface so that cladding pressure data may be obtained. Consequently, MEL will build its own engineering model of your project (with the surrounding few blocks of proximate structures built of wood or architectural foam) to be instrumented for the desired data collection. In the case of the pressure model, it is made of Plexiglas or a hardened polymer from the stereolithography process, and in the case of a structural model a lightweight material is generally used like balsawood or carbon fibre.