Best Practices in Wind Tunnel Testing

Synopsis:

Best Practices in Wind Tunnel Testing provides an overview of important concepts that are used in many wind tunnel test projects. The course is based largely on AIAA standards documents which focus on ground testing concepts. In particular, the course will address project management aspects of executing a testing project, the use and calibration of strain gage balances, the use of measurement uncertainty in ground testing, and the calibration of wind tunnels.

Key Topics:

  • Wind Tunnel Test Processes
  • Measurement uncertainty analysis for wind tunnel testing
  • Internal strain gage balances for wind tunnel testing
  • Aero-thermal calibration of wind tunnels

Who Should Attend:

The course is designed for engineers who are involved with ground testing, particularly wind tunnel testing. The course will be beneficial to all levels of ground test engineers; it could be a primer for engineers new to testing but also will be of value to senior engineers as it will include lessons learned that can be directly applied by test project leaders.

Course Information:

Type of Course: Instructor-Led Short Course
Course Level: Intermediate
Course Length: 2 days
AIAA CEU's available: Yes

Outline

Course Outline:

I. Course Introduction.
A. Ground testing overview


II. Test Processes (R-092)

A. The 7 Keys to Successful Testing
B. Pretest planning and preparation
C. Model development and fabrication
D. Pretest buildup and preparation
E. Testing
F. Post Test Activities

 
III. Measurement Uncertainty for Ground Testing Applications (S-071A)
A. Standards
B. Statistical Primer
C. Uncertainty Methodology
D. Uncertainty Applications


IV. Calibration and Use of Internal Strain Gage Balances (R-091)
A. Balance Technology
B. Concepts
1. Force/moment; axis systems, etc.
C. Balance calibration.
D. Use and troubleshooting


V. Wind Tunnel Calibration (R-093)
A. Overview of wind tunnel calibration
B. Requirements and objections
1. Types of calibrations
C. Calibration and flow quality measurements
D. Planning, execution and documentation
E. Tunnel calibration examples


VI. Class wrap-up

 

 

 

Materials


Instructors
Course Instructor:
This course is organized and taught by distinguished subject matter experts from the AIAA Ground Testing Technical Committee.

 

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