Ministry Of Higher Education and Scientific Research

University of Kirkuk

College of Engineering

Mechanical department

3rd Stage evening study

“ Wind tunnel report “

Supervisor:-
Pr.Dr. Tahseen Ahmad Tahseen
By:-

Omed Othman
Hasan
Wind tunnels :-

are large tubes with air blowing through them. The tunnels are used to replicate
the actions of an object flying through the air or moving along the ground.
Researchers use wind tunnels to learn more about how an aircraft will fly. Some
wind tunnels are large enough to contain full-size versions of vehicles. The
wind tunnel moves air around an object, making it seem as if the object is really
flying. Most of the time, large powerful fans blow air through the tube. The
object being tested is held securely inside the tunnel so that it remains stationary
and does not move. The object can be a small model of a vehicle, or it can be
just any part of a vehicle. It can be a full-size aircraft or spacecraft. It can even
be a common object like a tennis ball. The air moving around the stationary
object shows what would happen if the object was moving through the air. The
motion of the air can be studied in different ways; smoke or dye can be placed
in the air and can be seen as it moves around the object. Coloured threads can
also be attached to the object to show how the air moves around it. Special
instruments can often be used to measure the force of the air exerted against the
object.

Classification of wind tunnels :-

There are many different kinds of wind tunnels. They are typically classified by
the range of speeds that are achieved in the test section, as follows:

1. Low-speed wind tunnel

2. High speed wind tunnel
3. Subsonic and transonic wind tunnel
4. Supersonic wind tunnel
5. Hypersonic wind tunnel
6. High enthalpy wind tunnel
Test
nozzle extension fan
Wind Tunnel Components: section

1. Nozzle
2. Test section
3. Extension
4. Fan
1.Nozzle

Its designed in this shape to reduce the length of the device and to get a uniform
flow that enters to the tunnel .It mainly comprises of honeycomb and screens as
combination in the end of nozzle. The main function is to reduce the turbulence
and straighten the flow only in the axial direction. In principle, the air can enter
to the tunnel from any directions. But, only the axial flow is desired in the test
section. The main purpose of the screen is to reduce the turbulent intensity in
the flow and not to allow any unwanted objects to enter the tunnels and to break
of boundary layer. The honeycomb can be made with cells or various shapes
These cells are aligned in the stream wise.

2.Test section

It’s the part that we do the experiment and how to measure pressure difference
and has two pitot tubes and a wing between them .It is the basic element of
wind tunnel on which all other designs are generally made. All the aerodynamic
models are mounted in the test section when the tunnel is operated with desired
flow velocity. Various shapes for the test section are considered for constructing
the wind tunnel viz. hexagonal, octagonal, rectangle etc. The test section is
generally designed on the basis of utility and aerodynamic considerations since
cost of construction depends on the test section area. Length of the test section
is mostly equal to major dimension of the cross-section of the same or twice of
it. In addition, the test section should also be provided with facilities as per the
testing requirement. The test section velocity is generally specified as
percentage variation from the average of the cross-section. The ideal test section
has steady uniform velocity at the inlet, no cross flow, less or no turbulence and
less operating cost.

3.Extension

It is basically a duct with increase in area attached downstream of the test

section. After the test section, it is desired that the air must pass smoothly out of
the test section. So, this geometry is made to decrease the flow velocity and
increase in pressure. In order to avoid flow reversal, the exit pressure should be
higher than the atmospheric in case of open circuit wind tunnel. This is a very
critical section in design since the incurred pressure rise reduces the power
requirement for the wind tunnel which is proportional to the cube of velocity.
Hence maximum pressure recovery to be achieved at least possible distance is
the main objective of diffuser design. In general practice, the cone angle of the
diffuse is 7º or less so as to avoid boundary layer separation.

4.Fan

The housing fan is the structure that contains the impeller the air (or the fluid) to
be handled passes through the housing and it moves toward the ventilation
system. In particular, the air in the housing is compressed and consequently, its
speed increases. The performance of the fan depends on the physiognomy of the
impeller and on the shape of the housing too.

Advantage of wind tunnel : experiments can be performed under well-

controlled flow circumstances compared to open environment experiments

Types of Wind Tunnel :-

1. Closed-type
2. Open-type
3. Blowdown
4. Shock Tube

Open-type Wind Tunnel :-

open on both ends and draws air from the room into the test section

Advantages :-

1. Low construction cost.

2. Superior design for propulsion and smoke visualization. There is no
accumulation of exhaust products in an open tunnel
Disadvantages :-

1. Poor flow quality possible in the test section

2. High operating costs
3. Noisy operation

Closed-type Wind Tunnel :-

Air is conducted from the exit of the test section back to the fan by series of
turning vanes; air is returned to the contraction section and back to the test
section; air is continuously circulated

Advantages :-

1. Superior flow quality in the test section

2. Low operating costs
3. Quiet operation

Disadvantages :-

1. Higher construction cost

2. Inferior design for propulsion and smoke visualization
3. Hotter running conditions than an open return tunnel