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Problems of Wind Tunnel Design and Testing

At the request of the AGARD LaWs Working Group, two series of possible future low-speed windtunnels have
been studied. The first series are high-Reynolds-number tunnels having a product of working section width in
metres and maximum pressure in atmospheres kept constant at a value of 45, but including in addition a 60m
atmospheric tunnel. The second series comprises atmospheric tunnels of widths ranging from 8m to 25m, and
these are of more modest cost and generally lower capability than the first series. Very broad estimates of possible
capital and running costs are given as an indication of the scale of expenditure which might be involved; no
precise quotations have been obtained. Brief statements are made of the capabilities of the tunnels considered.
Each series in turn appears to offer attractive possibilities for future provision Of low-speed tunnels in Europe.
During the discussions Of the AGARD LaWs Working Group, attention was given to Europe’s needs for future
low-speed tunnels. In order to provide a basis for these discussions, the present authors were asked tO study two
series of tunnels, to summarise their capabilities and to make cost estimates.
The first series studied consists of tunnels which could give high maximum Reynolds number, the value being
the same for each tunnel at any chosen Mach number up to 0.2. The product of the working section width in
metres and the maximum pressure in atmospheres is kept constant at a value of 45. But since there is a case for
requiring the maximum Reynolds number to increase as the maximum pressure decreases because one then has a
smaller range Of Reynolds number (at constant Mach number) from which to extrapolate, a 60m atmospheric
tunnel was added to the series.
Also, a second series of tunnels has been studied, comprising atmospheric tunnels havinngorking section
widths from 8m to 25m, which could meet some Of the requirements at more modest costs.
The authors each made completely independent estimates of the capital costs. Their totals agreed to better than
15 per cent, though it is not expected that the absolute values are as accurate as that might suggest. Mean values Of
the two estimates are given and it is believed that the orders of cost are correctly indicated. The figures given are
all based on 1971 price levels. Estimates have also been made of the running costs of each facility.