Calibration of the Flow in the Extended Test Section of the Low-Speed Wind Tunnel at DSTO
Abstract
In 1996, the circuit of the low-speed wind tunnel was modified by extending the length of the test section and installing a redesigned contraction. This was done to enable longer models to be tested in the tunnel and also to possibly obtain some improvement in the quality of the flow in the test section. In this report, the results are given of a detailed calibration of the flow in the extended test section of the tunnel. The calibration was performed to: (1) provide a data base of the flow quality, to be used when analysing tests carried out in the tunnel since 1996, and (2) provide a data base for assessing the changes in the flow quality resulting from installing the extended test section and new contraction in 1996. Longitudinal mean-flow velocities, flow angles, turbulence intensities and spectra, were measured at up to 155 grid points across the flow for longitudinal positions of X(TAU) = -2.0, -1.0, 0.0 and +1.0 m from the centre of the turntables in the test section for nominal free-stream velocities of 30, 45, 60 and 75 m/s. The most important area of the test section, where models are usually located, is the region comprising approximately the central 50% of the cross sectional area of the test section. In this region, over the longitudinal measurement range (X(TAU) = -2.0 to +1.0 m), the following flow non-uniformities were observed. For the four velocities, longitudinal mean-flow velocities deviated within the range -1.2% to +1.6% from their values at the centre of the tunnel test section (X(TAU) = 0.0 m). For velocities of 30 and 60 m/s, horizontal flow angles deviated within the range -0.8 deg. to +0.8 deg. and vertical flow angles deviated within the range -1.2 deg. to +0.4 deg.. For velocities of 30 and 60 m/s, the u-component turbulence intensities were generally below 0.4%, and the v- and w-component intensities were generally below 0.7%.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA417291
Entities
People
- Lincoln P. Erm
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group