摘要: |
TheNationalFull-ScaleAerodynamicsComplex80-by120-FootWindTunnel(80x120)was
dedicated in 1987 and rated at 100 knots for full-scale aircraft testing at NASA Ames Research
Center. The 80x120 is the world’s largest wind tunnel, designed as an open circuit tunnel with
a large aerodynamically treated inlet open to the ambient atmospheric air. In 2017, damage
was sustained within the wind tunnel drive system, opening a window to do testing using the
existing 1/50th-scale model of the 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel within the full-scale 80- by
120-Foot Wind tunnel test section. The objective of the research was to quantify the turbulence
levels within the 1/50th-scale test section as a function of onset atmospheric wind direction
(± 90 deg from tunnel center-line), variable test section speed (5 – 50 m/s) and purposeful
obtrusion of wind flow into the inlet. The model wind tunnel inlet, contraction, and test section
are geometrically identical to that of the full-scale wind tunnel and model testing provides
aerodynamic performance characteristics under controlled test conditions allowing for insight
into the full-scale test section flow quality. The test section turbulence levels are minimally
affected by the onset direction of the ambient atmospheric wind, but are dramatically affected
bythespeedinthetunnelwhileoperatedinthepresenceofwinds. Originaldesignspecifications
were axial/vertical/lateral turbulence ≤ 0.5% at maximum test section speed, though early full-
scaletunneltestingdeterminedthatlateralturbulencewouldbe ≤ 0.6%. Fortestsectionspeeds
≥ 30 m/s the tunnel is within the design specification limits. Between 5 m/s and 30 m/s, the
test section turbulence levels are dependent on the onset wind direction and test section speed
where test section turbulence in the axial, vertical and lateral directions was seen to be between
0.5% and 1% and, at times, greater than 1%. Finally, testing was performed with blockage
designs at the inlet to disrupt the wind flow quality entering the tunnel contraction zone in an
attempt to create higher levels of turbulence for high turbulent test conditions simulating the
earth’s boundary layer. The highest turbulence levels measured were 6% in the axial direction
by use of large spires designed to obstruct ≈ 50% of the inlet area. |