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Flow and Turbulence Control in a Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Using Passive Hardware Devices

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Abstract

The Climatic Wind Tunnel (CWT) is a new experimental facility of the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (ITAM) in Prague, Czech Republic. It is uniquely able to replicate precipitation and freezing effects on structural models in the climatic test section, and simultaneously perform aerodynamic and aeroelastic tests on structural models in the aerodynamic test section. Extensive measurements are carried out to investigate airflow and turbulence characteristics in the empty aerodynamic test section. Capability to experimentally simulate the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is studied using castellated barrier wall, Counihan vortex generators, and surface roughness elements. An individual influence of each of these passive hardware devices is separately tested as well, as they are commonly used combined, and their individual contributions to the ABL model characteristics are not well known. The analysis is based on hot-wire anemometer measurements carried out at various cross sections in the aerodynamic test section of the CWT. Experimental results are reported as mean velocity and turbulence intensity fields for the empty aerodynamic test section without passive hardware devices. Vertical profiles of mean velocity, turbulence intensity, and turbulence length scales, as well as power spectral density of velocity fluctuations, are reported for the ABL small-scale model. The barrier is observed to cause a decrease in flow velocity and an increase in turbulence close to surface. Vortex generators enhance turbulence throughout the entire height range under scope. Increased turbulence and decreased flow velocity are particularly exhibited close to surface due to surface roughness. Influence of each of the studied passive hardware devices on flow and turbulence is quantified in a dimensionless form to allow for separately accounting for their effects.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge support provided by GAČR No. 14-12892S of the Czech Science Foundation, CET sustainability project LO12 (SaDeCET) of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic, and the Croatian Science Foundation IP-2016-06-2017 (WESLO).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Prosecká 76, 19000, Prague, Czech Republic

    S. Kuznetsov, M. Ribičić, S. Pospíšil, M. Plut & A. Trush

  2. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

    M. Ribičić, M. Plut & H. Kozmar

Authors
  1. S. Kuznetsov
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  2. M. Ribičić
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  3. S. Pospíšil
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  4. M. Plut
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  5. A. Trush
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  6. H. Kozmar
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Correspondence to H. Kozmar.

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Kuznetsov, S., Ribičić, M., Pospíšil, S. et al. Flow and Turbulence Control in a Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Using Passive Hardware Devices. Exp Tech 41, 643–661 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40799-017-0196-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40799-017-0196-z

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