Peter Hamlyn Irwin, a founding father of modern-day wind engineering whose expertise affirmed the stability behind the designs of some of the world’s iconic tall buildings, and an active ASCE Fellow and life member who contributed to ongoing improvements to the seminal ASCE 7 standard on structural wind loads, has died at 80.
Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, Taipei 101, Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Towers, and Shanghai Tower are among the works that would not have been built without his extensive wind testing.
Irwin, P.E., P.Eng, F.SEI, F.ASCE, was among those who moved modern-day wind engineering from theory into practice. His work shaped the way the world’s tallest buildings and most ambitious structures are designed, establishing technical foundations that continue to guide the industry.
His invention of the Irwin Sensor transformed how wind tunnels simulate natural wind, and it remains an industry standard for measuring pedestrian-level wind speeds.
In addition to ASCE life member, Irwin was a Structural Engineering Institute fellow and an active member of the ASCE 7-28 Wind Loads Standards Committee and its Wind Tunnel Testing Standards Committee.
He co-founded the Canadian-based firm Rowan, Williams, Davies and Irwin Inc. in 1986. His career began with the Canadian National Research Council in Ottawa during a formative time for wind engineering,
Inspired by his father’s career as a pilot, Irwin completed undergraduate and master’s degrees in aeronautical engineering at Southampton University in England. On graduating, he accepted a research position at Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough. By then he had met his wife, Clare. The couple immigrated to Canada, and Irwin earned a Ph.D. in civil engineering at McGill University in Montreal.
Irwin was recognized in 2018 as a Member of the Order of Canada, one of many awards and accolades he received, each received with characteristic humility.
His love of wind extended to activities inspired by wind and water: he was an avid power-boater and windsurfer, also adopted canoeing, cross-country, and downhill skiing, all of which he shared with his family.
All who knew Irwin will remember his encouraging outlook, a practical and determined approach to problem-solving, and a wry sense of humor, even under challenging circumstances.
