Wind tunnel: 2.1m by 1.5m by 4.4m

Technical specification

High speed

• The working section dimensions are 2.1m wide by 1.5m high by 4.4m long with a wind speed range from 4 to 45 metres per second.
• The moving ground includes a 1.5m wide by 2.1m long belt with a speed range of up to 40 metres per second.
• Boundary layer control gives >99.8% of free stream velocity 2 millimetres above the belt.
• This is suitable for up to ~30% race car models.
• Balances include a 3 component weigh beam in the tunnel roof and a 4 component strut mounted Aerotech balance for vehicle testing.

Balance details

The high speed section uses an overhead balance giving lift and drag forces together with pitching moment and includes:

• 3 component overhead balance
• strut attachments with adjustable pitch angle
• weigh-beam design with stepper motor driven weights

Maximum load ranges are:

• lift 1800 N
• drag 450 N
• pitch moment 450 Nm
• digital output for acquisition of signals

3 component strut mounted balance includes:

• mounted overhead
• faired strut with ride height control
• load cell design

Maximum load ranges are:

• lift 2000 N
• drag 400 N
• pitch moment 500 N.m

Low speed

• The working section dimensions are 4.6m wide by 3.7m high by 3.7m long and a maximum wind speed of 11 metres per second.
• Balances include a 6 component load cell mounted below the floor on a 3 metre diameter turntable.
• This is suitable for models up to 3 metres long.

Balance details

The low speed section, located upstream of the high speed test section,  features a 6 component underfloor balance.

The underfloor balance can be set at any yaw angle and includes:

• a concentric 3 metre diameter turntable independent of the balance
• floor level model attachments
• a frame and flexure design with independent load cells

Maximum load ranges are:

• lift 1000 N
• fx 400 N
• fy 800 N
• yaw moment 800 Nm
• pitch moment 800 Nm
• roll moment 800 Nm

Other equipment includes:

• an analogue/digital conversion for acquisition of signals