Optically Accessible Wind Tunnel Test Section for Large-Scale Concurrent High-Speed PIV/DIC Measurements
Abstract
The purpose of this Grant Modification is to change the Principal Investigator email from ms55@gatech.edu to juergen.rauleder@gatech .edu.This Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) proposal requestssupport for a new, state-of-the-art, purpo se-built, highly optically accessible test section, tosignificantly upgrade the current research capabilities of the John J. Harper Wind Tunnel atGeorgia Tech. The Harper Wind Tunnel s large test section (7x9 ft) makes it one of the unique fewresearch wind tunn els among US Universities. Full-scale testing of advanced configurationsincluding UAS, as well as large (sub)component testing (win gs, rotors, fuselages, etc.) for a greatvariety of vehicles from fixed-wing to rotary-wing aircraft (and hybrids such as compound rotorcraft), can be done owing to the large tunnel and test section size.However, the current test section has limitations in opti cal accessibility, not allowing formodern laser-based diagnostics for three-dimensional, high-speed, time-resolved whole-flow-field measurements such as particle image velocimetry (PIV), or for time-resolved 3D structuraldeformations and dynamics (digital image correlation, DIC). These non-intrusive opticalmeasurement techniques are critical to gain a global understanding of 3D unsteady ae rodynamicand aeroelastic phenomena (fluid-structure interactions), to further improve the aerodynamiccharacteristics and safety of current and future aircraft configurations and/or missions.With the new test section, we will be able to use concurrent PIV/DIC me asurements.Thereby, the unsteady (vehicle) dynamics response can be spatially and temporally correlated tounsteady aerodynamic eve nts and vice versa, i.e., we can measure and understand physical causeand effect; that is, the complex, two-way coupling and intera ctions between aerodynamics anddynamics. As a result, we will be able to device more effective control strategies and improvesafet y for, e.g., novel UAS operating in highly turbulent, unsteady flow regimes. Such a researchcapability is critical for the developm ent of new, unconventional, autonomous or piloted (e)VTOLaircraft performing challenging missions, such as in urban environments or on ship decks. Whilethe supported research addresses the DoDs modernization priorities, it also equips the nextgeneration of sci entists and engineers with critical knowledge and expertise. The students will gainthis from performing measurements using the enab led, most modern wind tunnel measurementtechniques in their own research, and also through classroom education and student labs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112849
Entities
People
- Juergen Rauleder
Organizations
- Georgia Tech Research Corporation
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy