Investigation into the Feasibility of Measuring Flow-Induced Pressures on the Surface of a Model in the AMRL Water Tunnel

摘要

A study has been undertaken to assess the feasibility of measuring flow-induced pressures on the surface of a model in the AMRL flow-visualization water tunnel. These pressures are extremely small due to the low free-stream velocities generally used for flow-visualization experiments in the tunnel. For a free-stream velocity of 0.1 m/s, flow-induced pressures are typically less than about 15 Pa. In the past the pressures could not be measured accurately since suitable pressure transducers were not available. In this report it is shown that it is now possible to measure the pressures using a modem highly- sensitive transducer. Flow-induced pressures were measured on a delta wing in the AMRL water tunnel, and at the same time the vortical flow over the wing was visualized, enabling the loading on the wing to be properly interpreted in relation to the observed flow patterns around the wing. This is believed to be the first time that flow- induced pressures have been measured on a model in a flow-visualization water tunnel at such a low flow velocity.