Description
Book SynopsisBrings us the story of Alan Davenport (1932-2009), the father of modern wind engineering, who investigated how wind navigates the obstacle course of the earth's natural and built environments - and how, when not properly heeded, wind causes buildings and bridges to teeter unduly, sway with abandon, and even collapse.
Trade Review"Wind Wizard is an unlikely gem, a biography of both a man and a field... From now on, I shall refer students and professors alike to Roberts' clear account... Roberts has written a largely equation free book in which technical subtleties such as aeroelasticity and Davenport's statistical description of turbulent buffeting are set out clearly, engagingly and accurately. Her precise, vivid phrases, such as vortices 'pushing and shoving the structure this way and that like a gang of bullies', will enliven my future lectures."--Allan McRobie, Nature "Recommended... The dramatic undulations and final collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940 demonstrated the power of wind and impelled a new discipline of wind engineering. Alan G. Davenport led the field with his meticulous science and innovative wind tunnel. Journalist Roberts delves into Davenport's portfolio of superlatives, which includes the world's tallest bridge, France's Millau Viaduct."--Marissa Fessenden, Scientific American "Richly drawn... A winning, enlightening investigation into wind engineering and the man who made the airwaves speak."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Roberts's book is more than an account of Davenport's life--it also provides fascinating insights into some of civil engineering's greatest achievements, and closest shaves. She reminds us how much we rely on wind engineering: from portable toilets to space rockets, Davenport tested everything... With climate change making violent storms like Sandy more common, the story of the wind wizard has never been more relevant."--Ben Crystall, New Scientist "Roberts' Wind Wizard is a tenaciously gripping and extraordinarily well-told tale of one of the great figures in structural engineering."--Nick Smith, Engineering & Technology "Roberts has done a very good job demonstrating the importance of Davenport's more sophisticated approach to wind and its effects on structures in making many of the world's tall buildings possible."--Choice "An elegant piece of work... Siobhan Roberts' style has literary merit. The narrative flows uniformly. The reader is not jolted by phrases, by fragments singing out of tune. I would not be surprised if she were to try to write novels in the future. After all, what's past is prologue."--Paolo Maria Mariano, Mathematical Reviews
Table of ContentsI Sowing Wind Science 1 II Tall and Taller Towers 32 III Long and Longer Bridges 129 IV Project Storm Shelter 183 Acknowledgments 227 Notes 229 Interview Sources 243 Glossary 245 Bibliography 251 Index 267
