Iowa State researchers study ways to diminish tornado damage

AMES, Iowa (AP)--Some Iowa State students will spend their summer traveling the Midwest in search of tornadoes.

Iowa State University is participating in a research project designed to increase scientists' knowledge of wind storms and develop ways to better protect homes and buildings from severe weather.

The research team is led by Partha Sarkar, a professor of aerospace engineering. Sarkar will mostly remain in the lab while Colorado researcher Tim Samaras collects the data on the front line with the help of some experienced twister-chasing students.

"The collaboration between ISU and our tornado probe deployment team represents a perfect match to gather real, full-scale (data)," said Samaras, of Applied Research Associates Inc.

The project is supported by $1 million through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The storm chasing begins this month and will end in June.

Samaras' team will deploy sophisticated probes containing sensing instruments and cameras to collect data from tornadoes and other wind storms. Samaris will also test ways to measure wind speeds closer to tornadoes' bases--a difficult task considering the power of certain twisters.

Bill Gallus, a project researcher, said radar technology typically can measure a tornado's wind speed 100 feet off the ground but no one has ever taken precise measurements at ground level.

"Wouldn't it be a thrill to be there when they collect the first wind measurements from inside a tornado?" said Gallus, noting that he would likely stay closer to the lab than the twisters.

The tornado data will be shared with Iowa State engineers and meteorologists, who will use a tornado simulator to help them interpret the findings.

Researchers will collect its own data through next year and study new building designs that would be more resistant to wind storms. The researchers will also study how rows of trees and shrubs can reduce wind intensity in rural areas.

Date: 5/9/06

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