Introduction

The image shows a prototype of cyclone proof house. Here we will discuss the scientific principle behind this particular structure and why it is more suitable and effective than the conventional infrastructures which are rectangular and cubical in shape. In this process by using hi-tech manufacturing technology and radial engineering we are making a cyclone proof house which will remain unaffected by the destructive force of wind during cyclone. At least the houses situated at coastal areas must be cyclone proof.

Cyclone arrives approximately every year and brings a lot of damage to the infrastructures. The well known Fani cyclone has damaged most of the east India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Srilanka, particularly the state Odisha. It was the strongest cyclone after 1999 super cyclone. Damage in USD 8.1 billion. Approximately 72 people have been killed. According to Beufort wind scale if wind speed is 117km/hr or more than that then it is a hurricane. During Fani  wind speed recorded 250km/hr.

Beaufort scale

For your information the Beaufort scale is also called as the Beaufort wind force scale. It is nothing but an empirical measure which relates wind speed to observed conditions at sea or on land. The Beaufort scale is neither an exact nor an objective scale. Actually it is based on visual and subjective observation of a ship and of the sea.

The unsafe houses

The conventional infrastructures are rectangular in shape. Buildings are considered unsafe if they cannot withstand the forces of high speed winds. Lightweight structures with wood frames, especially older buildings where wood with deteriorated condition and weakened walls are mostly affected by cyclones. Houses made of unreinforced or poorly constructed concrete block are also destroyed by the destructive force of cyclone. It is an as usual fact that coastal area houses are mostly destroyed by cyclone. Houses can be blown away due to the high wind pressure and weak connection of the footings. Roofing materials not properly anchored can be blown away. It has been experienced that light weight verandah roofs are damaged due to high wind speed. When cyclones are accompanied with heavy rain fall for a longer period, the buildings can be damaged due to flooding condition. Building contents are destroyed due to rain fall when roofing sheets fly away.

Streamlined shape

According to fluid dynamics any matter that flows is a fluid. That means air is also a fluid just like water. Smooth and regular airflow patterns around an object are called laminar flow. It is associated with minimum disturbance of air by the object. Turbulent flow occurs when air is disturbed and separates from the surface of the moving body, with the consequent formation of a zone of swirling eddies in the body’s emerging part. Streamlining means contouring of a body in such a way that its turbulent wake is reduced to a minimum value. Then what are the advantages of a streamlined body? Streamlining a body also reduces the friction of movement to a minimum thus decreasing overall drag. For fishes having a streamlined body helps in a smooth swimming spending  minimum body energy. A round shaped rock or stone under water stream experiences lowest water force. The streamlined shape of birds make them efficient flyers.  

We have designed a streamlined shape house by taking the help of radial engineering concept. Implementation of durable and cost effective materials in constructing the house makes it more strong and effective. The house is designed in such a way that it offers the lowest resistance to wind flow. The foundation is the part of the house which transfers the weight of the building to the ground. It is essential to construct a strong as well as suitable foundation for a house as the stability of a building depends primarily on its foundation.

Bernoulli’s principle

The Bernoulli’s principle in Physics explains well the phenomenon of blowing away of a roof during cyclone. Bernoulli’s principle explains that high speed wind is associated with low air pressure. That means during cyclone outside air pressure above the roof decrease. So there is comparatively high pressure inside the house. The interior high pressure exerts an up thrust on the roof and it becomes easier for the high speed wind to take away the slightly lifted roof.

Radial Technology.

A piece of wire can’t hold a weight if we put the weight on it. But if we suspend a weight it can hold it easily. Here the piece of wire is in tension. That’s the basic fundamental of a spoke in a bicycle wheel. Spokes once under tension, brace the rim using the hub as the central anchor. Each spoke pulls with equal tension to distribute the load evenly throughout the wheel while also holding the rim in a circular shape. The spokes must support the wheel against lateral flex and deformation of the rim and also resist the wheel effectively being squashed by radial compression.

Exactly the same thing happens here. In this case the radial structure is not vertical rather it is parallel to ground. The horizontally placed radial structure with reasonable number of spokes like beams supports the circular wall of the building against destructive wind force. Here the radial beams play the role to keep the circular wall in its true shape. The radial beam structure supports the circular wall against repeatedly bending force and deformation of the wall.

Plant a lot of trees

If you have a comparatively bigger campus, plant a lot of trees around the house. It will be a better option to make a natural shield against destructive wind. Obviously the network of branches and spreading leaves will slower down the wind speed. Precaution must be taken so as to avoid the falling of massive trees directly on the house. That means trees must be situated at a safe distance from the house structure.

Conclusion

This is not a theoretical concept. People have already started building their houses in this way and proved safe in hurricane as compared to their neighbours with conventional houses.

These are some practical applications below.

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