Interested to join the TTU-AIR Lab? 1 Phd and 1 MS positions available for fall 2026.
See more at the end of this page.
Our research group primarily focuses on enhancing the safety, resilience, and overall performance of structures in extreme wind events. We have the capabilities and resources to operate in this research area using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, aerodynamic experiments, and field observations. We aim to bridge the gap between atmospheric science and structural wind engineering communities by understanding and simulating the effects of extreme wind events on the built environment.
Structural wind engineering (SWE) and computational wind engineering (CWE)
Building aerodynamics under different wind systems
Near-surface characterization of extreme wind events
Leveraging combined resources—experimental, computational, and observational—to address the above challenges
Generating features of tornado-like vortices (TLVs) using moving louvers in CFD (LES)
Wind engineering is a specialized branch of engineering that focuses on the effects of wind on the natural and built environment. It combines elements from civil engineering, mechanical engineering, meteorology, and fluid dynamics to understand, predict, and mitigate the impact of wind, especially during extreme events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms.
Dr. Md Faiaz Khaled has a background in civil (structural) engineering with a research emphasis on wind engineering. He brings a distinctive perspective through hands-on experience in all three major approaches: (a) experimental simulations, (b) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, and (c) field measurements in wind hazard related research. Recognizing the limitations of relying on any single method, he is driven to integrate these techniques for a more comprehensive understanding. His research group actively engages in projects that span all three approaches. Additionally, he has a unique experience of dealing with stationary and transient wind systems.
Working with all three available tools in wind engineering: (a) experimental simulations, (b) numerical simulations, and (c) field observations. (see details here: Research).
Characterization and modeling of both stationary (ABL winds) and transient wind systems (thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and so on).
Tornado from a supercell thunderstorm (Image credit: Jessica Chaote, UIUC)
Princeton, KY 12/10/2021. University of Kentucky Agriculture Research Facility (Credit: UIUC WERL)
Credit: NOAA
Severe storms and hurricanes amount to 70% ($ 41.4 Billion) of the average annual damage ($59.9 Billion) per year.
WE ARE STUDYING THE COSTLIEST NATURAL DISASTER IN THE US
Academic Science building TTU
Texas Tech University (TTU) (founded in 1923), classified as “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity”, holds a distinguished tradition and a legacy of academic excellence. It is the home of the National Wind Institute (NWI), which is a globally and nationally recognized leader in wind engineering-related research. At TTU, our lab has access to a number of unique and state of the art research resources.
TTU is very much the national home for wind engineering and hazards related research
Currently, bridging the gap between between structural wind engineering and atmospheric science.
In the future, planning to collaborate with social scientists.
1 PhD position in the WISE program and 1 MS position in Atmospheric Science.
Student recruitment flyer at the end of the Team page.