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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 Newton’s 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

We’ll 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

Don’t worry, it’s just a FRACTION!!!


Weight
= C
Density x Speed2 x Diameter2
Do a wind tunnel test to find out what “C” is
for the parachute

Weight
C =
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 Newton’s laws of
motion

The wing or “airfoil” is a classic problem…

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