Structural Wind Fences
Our Services
System Design, Scoping and Detailing
Equipment Specification and Selection
Ductwork System Balancing and System Commissioning
Supply, Installation and Audit Reporting
What makes a good wind fence?
DMS are the Australian representatives for WeatherSolve Structures Wind Fences. WeatherSolve Structures are a worldwide company based in Vancouver British Columbia Canada and have many installations of wind fences throughout the world.
Dust comes from two distinct sources:
Eroded dust
This is when dust is lifted off of the ground or off the surface of a pile and blown away. The erosion process is sensitive to wind. Slowing down the wind typically reduce dust to 1/8th of what it was.
Airborne dust
This is when particles are kicked up by a person or machinery.
A wind fence can halve the wind speed that will carry airborne dust away. The distance they are carried is a function of wind speed and particle size.
Fog systems (for example) make the particles bigger, wind fences reduce the carry distance and increase the fog contact time, together they provide excellent dust control.
WeatherSolve Structures believe every control structure must meet the four basic criteria to make a good wind fence. It must be:
- Durable
WeatherSolve Structures has many unique components. Everything is tested for absolute strength as well cyclic loadings over hundreds of thousands cycles.
- Effective
WeatherSolve conducts ongoing research to determine the optimum aerodynamics for every situation. This includes the third party studies from Mid-West Research Institute Global and the Center for Study of Open Source Emissions.
- Economical
With ¾ of the cost being poles and foundations, WeatherSolve lowers the price without sacrificing strength by minimizing the number of poles. A pole that is four times as strong for example, costs only two to three times as much to build. This allows WeatherSolve to be able to have pole reaching as high as 30m and as far apart as 30m making them some of the largest fences in the world!
- Easy to work with
WeatherSolve systems allow large spans between poles and greater flexibility in pole placement. This provides many opportunities to position the structure in a way that does not impede plant operations.
Years Established
Completed Projects
What is an Overload Release System?
The WeatherSolve Release System provides added security in extreme storms because poles and foundations represent the most significant portion of the structure cost.
What about cyclones?
All structures are carefully engineered for whatever the client or local building codes require. In addition, because poles and foundations represent the most significant part of the cost, WeatherSolve has developed a release system to provide added security in extreme storms.The system has been extensively tested in the 200 mph winds of hurricane Andrew and many extreme storms worldwide since. It allows fabric to be released at the bottom of each panel and later to be re-clipped into place. Fabric always stays connected at the top of panel so it never becomes a safety hazard.
All systems are custom designed, this includes setting the release wind speeds to match the requirements.
Normal operation – All clips in place. Shock loads absorbed by fabric, cable and clips
Up to 30% over load – Steel top clips in place. Nylon bottom clips have released allowing lower hem cable to bow out and spill 30% of the load.
Over 30% overload – Steel clips in place. Lower hem cable has broken and fabric has pulled out of lockstrip on poles. Some ripping may occur requiring fabric replacement.
Support structures are individually engineered to suit the access and load-support requirements of the site. Aerodynamic requirements also affect the design. For example, inclined fences may be needed to create the optimum sheltered zone. Some structural arrangements can also create unnecessary down-stream turbulence. For agricultural windbreak netting, poles are spaced anywhere from 6 meters to 30 meters plus, with 20 meters being most common.
Support structures are individually engineered to suit the access and load-support requirements of the site. Aerodynamic requirements also affect the design. For example, inclined fences may be needed to create the optimum sheltered zone. Some structural arrangements can also create unnecessary down-stream turbulence. For agricultural windbreak netting, poles are spaced anywhere from 6 meters to 30 meters plus, with 20 meters being most common.
Tripod Style Pole Structure Tripod poles are suitable for structures taller than 12 meters. They are the most common pole for windbreaks over 20 meters as they are economical in terms of steel use, efficient in terms of ease of installation and adaptable in that they suit a range of foundation types.
Free-standing Poles The simplest form of construction is a pole concreted into a hole in the ground. The poles are typically “I” section beams or tubular steel which can be supplied pre-drilled and galvanized for the cables and cladding system to attach to. The poles may be spaced with solid beams (compression rails) between them, or anchored at each end of the fence to resist the tension in the cables.
Guyed or braced poles Guyed or braced poles are often an economical solution- particularly for semi-circular layouts. They are usually installed on a helical-anchor base for minimal site disruption. They can be incorporated into existing structures such as railway trestles. There are a number of ways of bracing. The angled system below shows a double brace for construction stability, but single braces are also effective. It also shows an inclined face to provide a ramp effect and better “throw” of the wind. The brace may be on either side of the pole to suit access requirements. Cable guys can be used too (with vertical poles).