BannerFlex Uses Full-Size Wind Tunnel to Test Banners and Hardware

In 1984, BannerFlex contracted with the GM Aeronautical Laboratory in Detroit to collect data and ensure that our banner bracket hardware and street pole banners were adequate in their ruggedness and strength. Since that first test in the early 80s, we have performed three more wind tunnel tests. Data from these tests, along with data from strength testing done at our manufacturing facility, and computer modeling, has allowed us to create our one-of-a-kind Wind Force Calculator Program available on our website.

One of the most important pieces of date that comes from wind tunnel tests is effective projected area (EPA). The EPA is a value given outdoor banners and other mounted equipment based on the pole and attached equipment’s surface area and shape. Banners that are mounted with flexible arm brackets have an EPA that gets smaller with increased wind velocity. An easy way to see this by eye is to look at the shadow the banner creates when there is no wind versus when big gusts are coming through. Our most popular banner size is 30’ x 94’, so we tested double banners of this size in the wind tunnel. It’s also the largest stock banner we offer, which means the wind load would be highest, as well. 

We often get asked about creating slits in banners to reduce wind load. We have found that wind holes are actually harmful to the banners because of increased vibration and stress on the fabric. The slits actually allow the fabric to ripple and catch more wind. It was very clear in our tests that the fiberglass arms were put under more stress, not less, when it came to putting holes in banners.

At BannerFlex in Kalamazoo, our banner bracket hardware has been put to the test time and time again. Whether it is a wind tunnel or strength test, or simply the ‘real life’ test of being mounted on poles all over the world, we always outperform expectations. If you have any questions or comments for us please call, click, or stop by today!