October 2025

Featured in Dry Cargo International: The Role of Wind Fences in Modern Dry Bulk Stockyard Management

We’re excited to share that WeatherSolve Structures has been prominently featured on page 90 of the October 2024 issue of Dry Cargo International, a leading global publication for bulk handling and materials management. The article, titled “The Role of Wind Fences in Modern Dry Bulk Stockyard Management,” examines how wind fences emerge as a transformative asset for stockyards, capable of tackling hazardous dust emissions, reducing the loss of valuable product, and improving safety and regulatory compliance.

The editorial explains that wind fences are barriers constructed from a porous material to alter wind patterns and reduce fugitive dust. This porous material allows a small amount of wind to pass through, which substantially reduces the turbulence seen with solid barriers. A quality, well-designed wind fence creates a sheltered area on the leeward side where wind speeds are typically reduced by 50% to 80% depending on the shelter patterns the fence designer is working toward.

Proven Results: Mechanisms and Materials

The feature details the dual mechanisms of action and the importance of material choice for optimal dust control:

  • Upwind Fence: Dramatically lowers wind speeds, minimizing dust dispersion and movement.
  • Downwind Fence: Acts as a “catch” fence for dust that is still moving, with a small sheltered area in front that functions as a drop-out zone.
  • Porosity: The effectiveness is impacted by aerodynamic porosity (what the wind “sees”) and porous opening dimensions. Fences with porous opening dimensions greater than 1″ or fences that do not go all the way to the ground are very poor at containing dust.
  • Material Choice: Tightly meshed woven fabrics such as high-density polyethylene or polypropylene, as utilized by WeatherSolve Structures, function efficiently in both upwind and downwind mode.

WeatherSolve in Action

The article highlights two distinct success stories illustrating the technology’s adaptability:

  1. Florida Stockyard: A site handling bagasse (dried sugar cane stalk) originally used a bunker system, but the resulting turbulence reduced effectiveness and caused product loss and dust issues. A custom-designed upwind and downwind fence with a unique stress-release clip system was implemented, resulting in substantial cost savings and a positive impact on the surrounding environment.
  2. Australian Cement Manufacturer: A site maintaining limestone stockpiles that historically used only surfactants was plagued by significant dust plumes. WeatherSolve designed and implemented a tailor-made portable wind fence that could be moved along the perimeter based on shifting pile activity and wind direction. The result was a smaller environmental footprint, significant reduction of dust, and happier neighbours.

The adaptability and effectiveness of wind fences showcase their ability to transform dust mitigation strategies, making them crucial for stockyards that prioritize environmental stewardship and safety.

Read the full feature on page 90 of the October 2024 issue of Dry Cargo International to learn more about how custom wind fences are transforming dust mitigation strategies in dry bulk stockyard management.