LOW SPEED WIND TUNNEL

OUTLINE:
Project objective
Introduction
Types
Design
Working
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages
Conclusion
PROJECT OBJECTIVE:
To simulate the movement or air
around objects.

To calculate drag and lift forces and

their coefficients, flow velocity,
pressure distribution etc.
INTRODUCTION:
A wind tunnel is a machine
which can simulate the
movement of air around
an object.

It helps to calculate the lift and

drag forces and their
Coefficients.
TYPES OF WIND TUNNEL:

BASED ON
FLOW SPEED
WIND TUNNEL
BASED ON
TYPE OF LOOP
 TRANSONIC
WIND
TUNNEL

SUPERSONIC
WIND
BASED ON TUNNEL
FLOW SPEED HYPERSONIC
WIND
TUNNEL

SUBSONIC
WIND
TUNNEL
 TRANSONIC SUPERSONIC HYPERSONIC SUBSONIC
WIND TUNNEL WIND TUNNEL WIND TUNNEL WIND TUNNEL
Velocity in test Velocity in test Velocity in test Velocity in test
section is upto section is upto section ranges section is about
340m/s or Mach number between Mach 315 m/s.
Mach number of 5. number 5 and
of 1. 15.
Used in aircraft Used to Used in rockets Used
industry since investigate the and space commonly in
most behavior of jet vehicles. aerospace and
commercial engines and automotive
aircraft operate military Industry
in this regime. aircraft.
 BASEN ON
TYPE OF
LOOP

OPEN LOOP CLOSED

WIND LOOP WIND
TUNNEL TUNNEL
 OPEN LOOP
1.This type of wind tunnel is
open at both ends.
2.The chances of dirt particles
entering with air are more.
3.Flow rate is not constant.
4.These type of wind tunnels
are less expensive.
CLOSED LOOP
1.Outlet of wind tunnel is
connected to inlet so the
same air circulates in the
system in a regulated way.
2.The chances of dirt entering
the system are very low.
3.Flow rate is constant
4.These type of wind tunnels
are expensive.
DESIGN:

pitot
tube

dy dynamometer
HONEY COMB: Outside air enters through the vent.

CONTRACTION SECTION: The air moves from

wider area into narrow area

TEST SECTION: It provides desirable flow condition

and space for model testing or experiment, where the
instrumentation are situated.

GUIDE VANES: To guide the flow through the

turning duct, and reduce the extent of secondary
flows.

DIFFUSER: A device to lower the air flow speed,

consequently reduce the pressure loss due to friction.
WORKING:

DIFFUSER EXIT
BLOWER

HONEY COMB GUIDE VANES

CONTRACTION
TEST SECTION
SECTION
CALCULATION OF PRESSURE:

The velocity of flow in the test section is calculated

by using a pitot tube which is connected to a
manometer.

It is calculated by using the formula

= '2'
a
Where, = specific gravity of the flow
w = density of the flow
g = gravitational acceleration
L = length of manometer flow (pressure difference)
a = density of air
CALCULATION OF DRAG AND LIFT:

The drag force is determined by using the formula

DF= 0.5 CD A (sq.V)
The lift force is determined by using the formula:
LF= 0.5 CL A V (sq.V)

Where, FD=drag force

LF=lift force
=mass density of the flow
A=reference area
v=velocity of object
CD=coefficient of drag
CL=coefficient of lift
APPLICATIONS:
Aerospace: Wind tunnel is utilized to study aircrafts in free flight.

Automotive: In the automotive industry, wind tunnels are used to

study the effects of moving air on the drag forces and energy
consumption of a vehicle moving on the road.

Architecture: The structural stability of a tall/large building might

be compromised if the forces of the wind arenot taken into
consideration. Often, wind tunnels are used to test those
structures on a scaled down model.

Sporting goods: Several applications are found in field of sporting

goods, from bicycles, through the design of swimming suites,
game balls that are affected by wind.
ADVANTAGES:
Progressive designers and engineers understand that significant
savings in cost of structure and cladding can be obtained by
completing a wind tunnel test in the early stage of the design.
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.

Accurate conditions required by the object is achieved.

DISADVANTAGES:
If located in a room, depends on the size of the tunnel to the
room.

For a given size and speed the tunnel will require more energy to
run.

It is noisy.
CONCLUSION:
By using this wind tunnel we can successfully study the
movement of air around an object.

The coefficients of drag and lift, velocity, pressure distribution

can be calculated.
THANK YOU