University of Maine Alfond Wind and Wave Ocean Research Facility
The Advanced Structures and Composites Center at the University of Maine is a world-leading center for research and education on composites and structures. To support their critical work, SMRT designed an addition and provided engineering support and equipment installation coordination for its two research and development programs: the Alfond Wind & Wave Ocean Engineering Laboratory and the Alfond Advanced Manufacturing Lab for Thermoplastics.
Built to a 1:50 scale, the Wind and Wave lab uses offshore structures to replicate extreme wave, wind, and ocean current environments. The lab is equipped with a 232-fan rotating wind machine capable of generating wind conditions up to 200 mph over a multidirectional 100ร30 wave basin. By accurately replicating the worst storms on the earth, the lab is contributing to the development of better boat and ship hulls; wind, wave, and tidal energy solutions; floating oil and gas storage structures; and systems to protect coastal cities from the effects of erosion, extreme storms, and sea level changes.
