Improved Design and Data Accuracy Through Modeling and Simulation of Wind Tunnel Facilities

Analytical Services & Materials, Inc. (AS&M) is proposing to develop and validate the procedures and modeling necessary to simulate, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), an entire wind tunnel circuit. The application of CFD in wind tunnel circuit analysis is in its infancy and its use would allow for the design of better facilities and the development of better modifications of existing facilities to improve their efficiency and expand their capability. A better understanding of the facility flow characteristics obtained by the simulation would improve wall correction methodology and data accuracy from the facility. The proposed Phase I program will validate the methods against calibration data from the NASA Langley 14 x 22-ft Low-Speed Tunnel.