AY Engineers tap increasingly innovative and sophisticated methods to design structures that can withstand the immense power of wind BY SAMUEL GREENGARD Modern buildings, bridges, outdoor shopping centers and stadiums are marvels of architecture and engineering. They alter skylines and create opportunities for people to live and work in entirely different ways than in the past. Yet behind the iconic designs and the incredible economic benefits these structures provide, there's an important detail that's often overlooked: These structures must be engineered to withstand the forces of nature, especially wind. "It's something that affects every structure on a daily basis," says Mark Chatten, wind engineer and principal at RWDI Consulting Engineers and Scientists in Toronto, Canada. NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2017 ENGINEERING INC. 15