Wind Tunnel Aerodynamics

By
Dr. Charles Trefny
20 Sept 2002

Aerodynamics
The field of science and engineering
dealing with the effects of air moving
around solid objects.

Aerodynamicists
Predict what will happen in a given
situation using physical laws, math,
wind-tunnels and computers

Air has mass and obeys Newtons laws.

100 gallons of air has a mass of about 1 pound.
We must speed-up, slow-down, or change the
direction of the air to generate a force.
Look for this in the following examples of
aerodynamics

Wind tunnels are used to predict the amount of

force generated by solid objects.
This helps aerodynamicists choose the proper
size for things such as wings, spoilers, and
parachutes.
Information obtained in wind tunnels is used to
improve the design of anything affected by
wind.
Wind-Tunnels come in all shapes and sizes

Open-Return Type Wind-Tunnel

Closed-Return Type Wind-Tunnel

Blow-Down Type Tunnel

Wind Tunnel Test Examples

Similarity Principle

Allows us to test a small model and get

information about the full-size object

Well use a parachute for example

Will the egg break?

Similarity Principle:
For similar shapes, this ratio always comes
out to the same number.
Weight
Density x Speed x Speed x Diameter x Diameter

Dont worry, its just a FRACTION!!!

Weight
Density x Speed2 x Diameter2

= C

Do a wind tunnel test to find out what C is

for the parachute

C =

Weight
Density x Speed2 x Diameter2

All known in the

wind tunnel!

Computers can also be used to solve

problems in aerodynamics.

The computer solves complex mathematical

equations that are based on Newtons laws of
motion

The wing or airfoil is a classic problem