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03 Lect 17 Wind Tunnel
03 Lect 17 Wind Tunnel
s
/
a
- density ratio (density of structure / air density)
Wind-tunnel techniques
Modelling rules - dimensional analysis :
For example, reduced frequency :
Non-dimensional numbers may not be independent
i.e. proportional to square root of the Cauchy Number divided by the density ratio
s
a
2
a
2
s
s
.
U
E
K
U
L
.
L
E
K
U
L n
= =
Wind-tunnel techniques
Modelling rules - dimensional analysis :
Scaling requirements might be relaxed
Not possible to obtain equality of all non-dimensional groups
Judgement based on experience and understanding of mechanics of the
phenomena
Quality assurance manuals and standards for wind-tunnel testing are
now available - e.g. A.W.E.S. , A.S.C.E.
Wind-tunnel techniques
Measurement of local pressures :
Local pressures - measurement done with single measurement tap
Fluctuating and short duration peak pressures must be measured
Area-averaged pressures with multiple pressure taps manifolded together
Multiple input tubes -
single output tube to
electronic pressure sensor
Wind-tunnel techniques
Area-averaged pressures :
Discrete averaging overestimates continuous average fluctuating loads
R
d
discrete
averaging
R
c
continuous
averaging
R
d
R
c
Assumed correlation
function = exp (-Cr)
B
B
2
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
CB
Variance of averaged
panel force to variance
of point pressure
Overestimation depends on
correlation between point
pressures on the area
Wind-tunnel techniques
Frequency response of measurement system :
Require amplitude response ratio equal to 1.0 ( +/- small error) over a
defined frequency range
0
0.5
1
1.5
0 100 200 300 400
Frequency (Hertz)
A
m
p
l
i
t
u
d
e
r
a
t
i
o System within +/- 15%
limits to 150 Hertz
Wind-tunnel techniques
Frequency response of measurement system :
Require phase response to vary linearly over a defined frequency range
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0 100 200 300 400
Frequency (Hertz)
P
h
a
s
e
l
a
g
(
d
e
g
r
e
e
s
)
Time delay =
(1/n) (phase angle / 2t)
For constant time delay, phase
angle should be proportional to
frequency, n
Wind-tunnel techniques
Types of tubing systems :
Short tube : high resonant frequency
but amplitude response rises fast
Restricted tube :
restrictor tube damps resonant peak
Leaked tube :
high pass filter, mean response is
also reduced
Transducer
volume
(a) Short tube
Restrictor
(b) Restricted
tube
Controlled
leak
(c) Leaked tube
Wind-tunnel techniques
Overall loads on tall buildings :
Two techniques : aeroelastic models - resonant structural response is scaled
Base-pivotted aeroelastic model :
Gimbals
Springs
Strain
gauges
Electromagnet
Aluminium
disc
h
motion of building in sway modes of vibration are reproduced - hence aeroelastic
(e.g. aerodynamic damping) forces are included
Uses equivalence of rigid body
rotation and movement of tall
building in first mode with linear
mode shape
Model should be scaled to have the
same density
Wind-tunnel techniques
Overall loads on tall buildings :
model building supported on a stiff
base balance to measure
aerodynamic applied forces
high-frequency base balance :
spectral densities of applied base
bending moments are measured and
used to compute resonant
components in sway modes
mean and background aerodynamic forces only are measured
h
Six component strain gauge
balance
requires mode shape corrections,
special processing for coupled
modes, linked buildings
Wind-tunnel techniques
High-frequency base balance :
Support system should be made very stiff, and building
model light to keep frequency above measurement range
Frequency relationships :
U
1
(>U
2
)
U
2
Simulated
building
frequency
Model
frequency in
wind tunnel
Spectral
density
Usable frequency
range for
measurements
Wind-tunnel techniques
Full aeroelastic models :
Elastic properties are concentrated in a spine to which
non-structural segments are attached to give correct
aerodynamic shape and mass
Slender structures such as bridges and towers
Length scale ratio and velocity scale ratio chosen to suit
size and speed range of wind tunnel
Frequency then obtained by equality of reduced velocity :
p
s
m
s
U
L n
U
L n
|
.
|
\
|
=
|
.
|
\
|
Stiffness of spine obtained by requirement to keep
frequency of structure equal in model and full scale
Wind-tunnel techniques
Full aeroelastic models :
Segmented tower legs and deck
End of Lecture 17
John Holmes
225-405-3789 JHolmes@lsu.edu