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Mazur FINAL 8 7 2020 with cert.pdf (2.74 MB)

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Calibration and Baseline Flow Surveys of a Reconstructed Boundary-Layer Wind Tunnel

Mazur, Zachary Thomas Lyn
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1597422848793191

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Science in Engineering, Youngstown State University, Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.
Wind tunnels continue to be essential for testing aerodynamic systems and underlying flow physics required in research and industry for proper modeling and design. This study introduces the newly reconstructed low-speed, research-grade boundary-layer wind tunnel constructed at Youngstown State University and first measurements of performance to support computational modeling of experiments. The tunnel design is based on a facility that previously existed in the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory at the NASA Ames Research Center that contributed validation experiments for direct numerical simulation (DNS) of non-trivial flows in the 1990s. In this work, the newly-built tunnel was calibrated and a flow quality survey was conducted, which included measurements of cross-section uniformity, boundary-layer measurements, and turbulence intensity. Measurements were performed at operating speeds of 3, 7.5, 15, and 30 m/s. Prior to construction, computational modeling of the facility had been performed and estimated that a 40 hp blower would provide the desired operating speed envelope and maximum speed of 40 m/s. It was found that the top speed of the wind tunnel with an empty test-section was 35 m/s. The cross-sectional flow nonuniformity, measured with the Pitot-static tube, showed a maximum difference of 3% from the centerline velocity in the upper half of the speed range. The natural boundary-layer state was measured using a fine Pitot-tube and compared to 3-D, Reynolds-averaged flow calculations and well-known velocity profile benchmarks from laminar incompressible theory (Blasius solution for zero-pressure-gradient-flow) and the turbulent 1/7th power law. The results showed good agreement with the laminar profile at the lowest speeds tested (3 and 7.5 m/s). The highest speeds tested (15 and 30 m/s) showed good near-wall agreement with the turbulent calculations. The streamwise turbulence intensity measured with a hot-wire probe was 0.18% at test speeds above 7.5 m/s, agreeing with published data on the original tunnel.
Kevin Disotell, PhD (Advisor)
Hazel Marie , PhD (Committee Member)
Stefan Moldovan, PhD (Committee Member)
80 p.
Aerospace Engineering; Engineering; Mechanical Engineering
Wind Tunnel; Flow Survey; Turbulence Intensity; Flow Uniformity; Fluid Dynamics; Mechanical Engineering; Experiments; Aerospace Engineering

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mazur, Z. T. L. (2020). Calibration and Baseline Flow Surveys of a Reconstructed Boundary-Layer Wind Tunnel [Master's thesis, Youngstown State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1597422848793191

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mazur, Zachary . Calibration and Baseline Flow Surveys of a Reconstructed Boundary-Layer Wind Tunnel. 2020. Youngstown State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1597422848793191.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mazur, Zachary . "Calibration and Baseline Flow Surveys of a Reconstructed Boundary-Layer Wind Tunnel." Master's thesis, Youngstown State University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1597422848793191

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ysu1597422848793191
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© 2020, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Youngstown State University and OhioLINK.