A NEW FORCE MEASUREMENT MECHANISM IN WIND TUNNEL: CFD AND EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION ON A CYLINDER

Year 2023, Issue: 053, 16 - 27, 30.06.2023

Seda Arabacı , Emre Kiraz

https://doi.org/10.59313/jsr-a.1248990

Abstract

Wind tunnel tests are experiments carried out in private and state-supported institutions, which are of great importance for studies in aerodynamics. Wind tunnels are essential in the defense industry, the automotive industry, and even the construction industry. In this study, a force sensor holder (FSH), in the open subsonic wind tunnel test room is designed, and it is made to measure angled structures, angled prototypes, and especially for wings. The critical angles of wings and the angles of attack are necessary, especially regarding aerodynamic performance. This force sensor holder can be adjusted at 0-90 degree angles and used experimentally. After holder manufacturing, experiments and CFD analysis are carried out at a 0 degree angle on the cylinder body. This study conducts a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis using Realizable k-ε, and SST k-ɷ turbulence models. In this study, the accuracy of the CFD analysis of the drag coefficient on a cylinder is evaluated through a comparison with both experimental and literature data. The results revealed that the CFD analysis has a deviation of 5,11% (using the Realizable k- model) and 5,22% (using the SST k- ɷ model) from the literature data. On the other hand, the experimental results show a discrepancy of 3,77% compared to the literature data. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the CFD analysis in predicting drag coefficients and highlight the importance of validating such simulations with experimental data.

Keywords

Wind tunnel, Force sensor holder, Drag coefficient, Angle of attacks

Thanks

The support of Manisa Celal Bayar University is highly appreciated. Funding Information: Manisa Celal Bayar University under project numbers BAP 2013-037.

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