Reddit reviews Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Testing
We found 4 Reddit comments about Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Testing. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Reddit reviews Low-Speed Wind Tunnel TestingWe found 4 Reddit comments about Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Testing. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
You're essentially asking the difference between a infinite wing and finite wing.
In order to study the flow around a section, i.e. 2D flow; it is customary for the model to completely
span the test section (Infinite wing), be it from wall to wall or ceiling to ceiling. Although this is most commonly applied to aerofoil sections, the same theory goes for other models such as cylinders. The reason being; that any three dimensional flow components are eliminated in the spanwise axis.
If you choose to model 3d flow, i.e. a finite wing, it has been recommended that the span of any model for three dimensional flow visualisation purposes does not exceed 80% of the wind tunnel section in order to negate any wall effects. This is IMPORTANT!! I'd probably recommend somewhere closer to 70% just to make sure.
Advantages of 3d over 2d are that you can see the effects of having a finite wing, which are most notably wing tip vortices. For certain applications this is unnecessary, and even counter productive, for example boundary layer studies.
If you have any more questions, I'd be happy to answer them. I completed a 105 page dissertation on flow visualisation last year, implementing surface oil, smoke injection, surface tufts and tuft grid methods with really exciting results.
If you are looking to do some wind tunnel studies, there are a lot of factors you need to take into consideration. I found this book extremely helpful:
Low-speed wind tunnel testing (Third edition) by J. Barlow et al (Book, 1999)
Go to your engineering library and get this book: http://www.amazon.com/Low-Speed-Tunnel-Testing-Jewel-Barlow/dp/0471557749
As a supplement, this website is good: http://www-htgl.stanford.edu/bradshaw/tunnel/
I agree with the others but these are also a MUST in your collection! Don’t let the titles fool you, tons of good info in both. These are the first books you’ll buy if you study aeronautical engineering (source: I’m an aeronautical engineer)
Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Testing
Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators
Low Speed Wind Tunnel Testing
Aerodynamics is a math heavy subject. You're not going to escape it.
There are books geared toward the pilot/hobbyist audience you might find interesting as well like Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators.