Expert: Paul Soderman - 10/3/2009

Question
Dear Mr Soderman

I am looking for a reference regarding the design of low speed wind tunnels. If I am not wrong ther is a NASA ( or NACA) report which contains such an procedure.
Here we develop research on aeroelasticity and we have been developing small aeroelastic models (elastic cantilever wings).
I need to shar aour time between other users, and this in turn difficult our research
For this reason we are aiming to build a dedicated aeroelastic wing tunnel. We figure out an open section, blower type subsonic wing tunnel, with max speed of 30 m/s and 60 X 60 cm of test section. If you have refereces and or any advise about this subject we are very greatfull. Looking forward hear frome you, in advance, thanks.
Regards
Roberto - Brazil.

Answer
There are numerous papers and reports on wind tunnel design by NASA and others.  The reference I start with is Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Testing by W. Rae and A. Pope (John Wiley & Sons, 2nd edition).  Rae and Pope reference many technical papers that contain more detail information such as Eckert, Mort and Jope:  Aerodynamic Design Guidelines and Computer Program for Estimation of Subsonic Wind Tunnel Performance, NASA TN D-8243, Oct 1976.  See also the Appendix of:  Soderman and Olson: Large-Scale Aeroacoustic Research Feasibility and Conceptual Design of Test-Section Inserts for the Ames 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel, NASA TP 3020, Dec. 1990.  That Appendix contains information on pressure losses and power balance equations for open test section wind tunnels.
Paul