Wind-resistant ratings are tested and verified using a combination of laboratory tests and field testing. In the laboratory, samples of the building material or product are subjected to wind loads generated by a wind tunnel or other testing equipment. The goal is to simulate real-world wind conditions and measure the resistance of the material or product.
In the field, wind-resistant ratings are tested using live wind conditions. Test houses, buildings, or other structures can be built and outfitted with various building materials or products, and then subjected to wind loads using real-world wind conditions. Engineers and technicians observe the structure to determine how effectively each material or product resists or deflects wind.
Once testing is complete, the rating is assigned based on the performance of the material or product under specific wind conditions, and it is typically expressed as a number or a classification. These ratings are often used by building codes and standards to ensure that structures are designed and built to withstand the expected wind loads in a specific location.
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