A Virtual Modeling CFD Tool for Wind Tunnel Testing

An Aerodynamic Testing Facility Modeling Software System (ATFMSS) for pre-test evaluation of fluid dynamics effects on test facilities and test articles is proposed. The ATFMSS will be based on unstructured grid CFD modeling of the test facility and itsvarious components. The ATFMSS will also include a user-friendly CFD package with interactive AutoCAD interface for fully modeling the prospective test article in test section with the level of detail necessary for a specific test. Pretest analysis wouldrequire the flow in the tunnel circuit as the only zone that is to be fully computed for each application. Tunnel operational parameters and limits will be integrated into the computer modeling and interface controls. The ATFMSS will consist of InteractiveGraphics Interfaces to enable multimedia type of interactions, combining real facility images with Computer Generated Images (CGI) for the users/operators to be able to relate to realistic systems. In Phase I, we will predict the flow properties through atypical test facility and around the test geometry. In Phase II we will build the entire CFD system around a parallel processing system with a GUI and demonstrate the reliability of the CFD analysis code as a useful pretest tool. Due to the high costassociated with high-speed aerodynamic testing in terms of run time, model fabrication, and instrumentation, pretest CFD analysis is often called upon to reduce design cost risks. The proposed Aerodynamic Testing Facility Modeling Software System (ATFMSS)will meet this requirement as a useful tool to model the flow interactions with various components of test cell and reduce cost risks by uncovering a potential design flaws before fabricating any new hardware.