This 3D-printed, easily assembled hurricane shutter system is designed to provide the first line of defense in case of hurricane landfall. Providing adequate protection for openings in the building envelope remains a critical issue for coastal regions subject to high winds and wind-borne debris during inclement weather events. In the United States, the number of weather events resulting in casualties have increased 8% and injuries have increased 9% in the last five years. In 2020, 60,714 weather events, ranging from tornadoes to high and thunderstorm winds, resulted in 585 deaths and 1,708 injuries. While improvements have been made to available storm shutters, the components are crude appropriations of light gauge aluminum decking, corrugated plastics, and even pre-cut sheets of plywood.
Researchers at the University of Florida developed aerodynamic storm shutter panels that are 3D-printed, possess integral connections for panel-to-panel assembly by a single person, are stackable for easy storage, and perforated to allow for daylight, airflow, and vision during and after an inclement weather event. This shutter panel system is optimized for multiple parameters that existing technologies are unable to address.
Storm shutter panel system mitigating high winds and wind-borne debris, offering visual connectivity between the interior and exterior, and security during and after a storm event
The storm shutter panel system integrates Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technology into a generative parametric process, optimizing the design and execution of the invention. CFD is a powerful new digital tool, enabling teams to develop methodologies for analysis, testing, and visualization of an array of building performance criteria like site-related issues, environmental factors, material technologies, and more.