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6/15/99
Contents
Sample Experiments 3
Governing Equations 15
Flow Visualization Techniques 19
How to Make the Measurements 24
Background - Why Test in Wind Tunnels 27
Selected References 31
Sample Experiments
Flow
Chord line:
straight line between most
forward and most aft points
Lift
Angle
scale
Lift
V2
Velocity
scale
Notes:
The frontal area (the side facing the flow) must be the
same. Drag is directly related to the surface area.
If using the pivot & sting, objects must be mounted equally
far apart from the pivot point. It is important that each
object has the same moment arm.
If using the pulley system, it might be better to have two
pulleys.
Governing Equations
Governing Equations
1
L V 2 * S * C L
2
1
D V 2 * S * C D
2
NASA Glenn Research Center
Icing Branch - Van Zante / Dynacs Page 16
Wind Tunnel Experiments for Grades 8 - 12
Nomenclature
Dynamic Pressure, V2
= density (of air); rho
V = velocity (speed)
Surface Area, S
S = chord * span
chord is wing length, span is wing width
Governing Equation
Notes
The Lift and Drag can be changed most easily by
changing the angle of attack () or speed (V). Of
course, the surface area (S) can also be
adjusted. If a water tunnel is also available, the
working fluid (), e.g. air to water, can also be a
variable.
During the course of one experiment, it is
important to only change one variable at a time.
Flow Visualization
Techniques
x x x x
x x x x
x x x x
x x x x
Tuft Grid
W lt a
g
De
in
L = Wt0 Wt
Caution: try to minimize the friction (binding) at the
tunnel/sting interface, e.g., with a brass bearing.
Background
Why Test in Wind Tunnels?
Langley
Ames 80 x 120
Selected References
Aerodynamics
1. Abbott, Ira A. & von Doenhoff, Albert E., Theory of Wing Sections, Dover Publications, 1959.
2. Anderson, John D., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 2nd Ed., 1991.
3. Anderson, John D., Introduction to Flight, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 3rd Ed., 1989.
4. Shevell, Richard S., Fundamentals of Flight, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983.
Fluid Mechanics
5. Potter, Merle C. & Foss, John F., Fluid Mechanics, The Ronald Press Co., NY, 1975
(now published by Great Lakes Press).
6. White, Frank M., Fluid Mechanics, McGraw-Hill Inc., 2nd Ed., 1986.
7. Shapiro, Ascher H., Shape and Flow: The Fluid Dynamics of Drag, Science Study Series, Anchor
Books, Doubleday & Co., Inc.,Garden City, NY, 1961.
Flow Visualization
8. Van Dyke, Milton, An Album of Fluid Motion, Parabolic Press, P.O. Box 3032, Stanford, CA
94305-0030, 1982.
9. Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, Visualized Flow, Pergamon Press, 1988.
10. National Committee for Fluid Mechanics Films, Illustrated Experiments in Fluid Mechanics, The
MIT Press, Cambridge, MA and London, England, 1972.