EXPERIMENT 1

TUNNEL OPERATION AND CALIBRATION

Our purpose in this first experiment is to calibrate the L. A. Comp wind tunnel. (why is calibration performed?)

The calibration is performed by recording the test section dynamic pressure and the associated pressure difference
across the contraction for different wind speeds. A Pitot-static tube is mounted in the tunnel and aligned with flow to
measure the test section dynamic pressure. (We will not be measuring any forces, therefore, the strain gages should be
unlocked). The ends of the Pitot-static tube are connected to a manometer (filled with a gage oil of specific gravity
0.826), while the pressure difference across the contraction in torr (mm of mercury) is measured using a transducer and is
read on the Datametrics barocel (Model 1174). The temperature in the tunnel is sensed by an Omega thermocouple, and a
mercury-in-glass barometer is used to measure the atmospheric pressure. The temperature and atmospheric pressure are
needed to calculate the density of air in the test section. [specific gravity of mercury is 13.6; density of water is 1.94
slugs/ft
3
;
o
R =
o
F + 459.7; R = 1716 (ft.lb)/(slug
o
R) for air]

The pressure difference across the Pitot tube is recorded for values of the pressure difference across the
contraction ranging from 0 to about 16 torr. The measurements are plotted as two figures (why?): (i) test section dynamic
pressure in lbf/ft
2
(measured with the Pitot static tube) as a function of pressure difference across the contraction (in torr);
and (ii) velocity in the test section in ft/s as a function of pressure difference across the contraction (in torr). Suitable least-
square fits are made to the data. The equations of the least-fit curves and the R
2
value are displayed on the graphs. Note
that these figures will be used throughout the semester to set the tunnel at a certain wind speed.

Report
The report is due at the beginning of the next laboratory session (Sep 3 for Wed lab and Sep 4 for Thursday lab). The
report is a comprehensive report with introduction, objectives, theory/background, experimental set-up and procedure,
results and discussion, conclusions and recommendations, along with a title page, abstract, table of contents (including list
of tables, list of figures), nomenclature (if needed), references and appendices.
Introduction: write about the importance of wind tunnels, types of wind tunnels, why calibration is needed.
Objectives: give the objectives of this experiment.
Background: include a description of the L. A. Comp wind tunnel and the operation of a Pitot-static tube and the
manometer.
Theory: include the theory behind how the dynamic pressure in the test section varies with the pressure drop across the
contraction and how the velocity varies with the pressure drop across the contraction.
Experimental Methods: give a table of all the details of the instrumentation used, write briefly about the procedure.
Results: Include the two figures, a linear fit to Figure (i) should be made, and commented on. Do we expect the
relationship to be linear? Why?
Based on the linear fit in Figure (i), an appropriate curve fit should be made in Figure (ii) and the results need to be
commented on.
Uncertainty estimates should be given as numbers in a table or marked on the figures. Write about the trends seen in the
figures, what the major sources of uncertainty are and how to reduce the uncertainties.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Conclusions should mirror objectives. Any recommendations to improve the results
can be given in this section.
Sample calculations, calculation of uncertainties, and raw data should be included in the appendices.
English units should be used throughout the report, since it is still the standard in the aerospace industry.