Hurricane simulator. A tornado analysis tool?

[Mike Birbeck]

I was intrigued by the following BBC news item describing a mobile hurricane simulator. See link below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7441481.stm

I was wondering how useful in baselining the EF scale this machine (or similar machines) have been? Would a true tornado simulator have to produce a vortex to give accurate measurement of aerodynamics and the damage to structures?

 

[Mark Sudduth]

They did not mention whether or not is produces gusts. As most of you know who have been in hurricanes, especially intense and/or intensifying hurricanes, the stabs of wind within the gusts are incredible and can do tremendous damage in a short period of time. Also, the wind alone at 120 mph is not too bad. But put a bunch of debris in that wind, launch it at homes/windows/buildings, and you have a major problem. Just think about Jim Edds video from Punta Gorda during Charley with all that debris blasting by. Winds were probably 120-130 mph with higher gusts but the loose debris made it all much worse.

It seems to me that tornadoes are so violent and concentrated that it would be hard to even come close to duplicating by machine. Interesting idea though.