Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: Expectant_Philosopher on 21/07/2014 19:23:14

Title: Can clamshell structures protect against high winds?
Post by: Expectant_Philosopher on 21/07/2014 19:23:14
Can large clamshell appliances protect houses from high winds due to hurricane and tornado?  Could you use wind to lift, rotate, and close the clam shell around a house, then use vanes to keep the protective shell aligned with the wind? Would such a protective shell be enough to protect a house from high wind speeds?
Title: Re: Can clamshell structures protect against high winds?
Post by: alancalverd on 22/07/2014 00:02:36
What would you use to protect and anchor the clamshell? Why not just build the house out of that stuff, or live in the clamshell?
Title: Re: Can clamshell structures protect against high winds?
Post by: Expectant_Philosopher on 22/07/2014 05:47:39
 People often sacrifice practicality for style, I wouldn't think people would want to live in a clamshell even it were more practical in a high wind prone area. Would you want to live in a house shaped like a dome, a peanut, or a clamshell?  However, if the clam shell could be hidden during daily life and deployed when needed practicality then matches a persons desire for style.  The shell sections could be mounted so that they slide freely in their housing and along a ring at the base of the house which allows the closed clamshell to rotate on its axis.  The houses we have now are not aerodynamic enough to withstand the forces of the wind. The little design details like eaves, dormers, and porches shred with high winds.  Our aircraft travel against wind forces much stronger that any hurricane or tornado and come out unscathed.  We need to either make our housing aerodynamic through original design or by application of an aerodynamic shell.
Title: Re: Can clamshell structures protect against high winds?
Post by: alancalverd on 23/07/2014 13:36:07
Or live in a comfortably-shaped stone house (design evolved over thousands of years) in a non-tornado area.