JOSEPH BALIKAGIRA TUMWESIGE 20014299

Aerodynamics Coursework

Module Leader: MR. BENJAMIN STACY

Course: Fluids and Aerodynamics

Submission: 2nd December 2022

SRN: 20014299
 JOSEPH BALIKAGIRA TUMWESIGE 20014299

Contents
Contents .................................................................................................................................................. 1
Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Theoretical Background .......................................................................................................................... 2
Apparatus ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Methodology........................................................................................................................................... 4
Calculations. ............................................................................................................................................ 6
Graphs ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Discussion................................................................................................................................................ 9
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 9

Table of Figures

Figure 1: The AF1300 wind tunnel used in the experiment................................................................... 3

Figure 2: Schematic of a NACA 0012 Aerofoil...................................................................................... 3
Figure 3: The manometer setup to read the dynamic pressure (in mmH20) from the tunnel’s pitot ...... 3
Figure 4: Mercury barometer .................................................................................................................. 4
Figure 5: Shows a ladled picture of the console ..................................................................................... 4
Figure 6: Coefficient of Pressure Plot for 30%RPM ................................................................................ 7
Figure 7:Coefficient of Pressure Plot for 60%RPM ................................................................................. 7
Figure 8:Coefficient of Pressure Plot for 90%RPM ................................................................................. 7
Figure 9:Coefficient of Lift Plot For 30%RPM.......................................................................................... 8
Figure 10:Coefficient of Lift Plot For 60%RPM........................................................................................ 8
Figure 11:Coefficient of Lift Plot For 90%RPM........................................................................................ 8

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 JOSEPH BALIKAGIRA TUMWESIGE 20014299

Abstract

A wind tunnel test was conducted on a NACA 0012 airfoil in order to measure the performance and
aerodynamic forces acting on the airfoil and analyze the characteristics of aerodynamic forces such as
lift. The test was conducted in an AF1300 wind tunnel which is an open return wind tunnel.
The test was conducted at multiple angles of attack which ranged from 0 to 20 degrees. Additionally,
different speeds are altered in the wind tunnel.

Introduction

History of Wind Tunnels

Wind tunnels have existed since the 1870s when Frank H. Wenham first invented them. However, these
are not the standard wind tunnels that we are familiar with today. Instead, they consisted of mounting
models in areas that are known to have frequent and steady wind flow, for example in the mouths of
caves and windswept ridges (NASA.gov).

Purpose of Wind Tunnels

The testing of airfoil prototypes in the wind tunnel is an essential stage in any engineering design as it
enables engineers to improve the features of many types of bodies, particularly airfoils. It aids engineers
in enhancing the aerodynamic properties of an airfoil, primarily by increasing the lift and reducing the
drag at various angles of attack, while ensuring the aircraft body remains steady and free from stalling
under a variety of potential climatic situations. This is a crucial step in the development of an airfoil
because it paves the way for the production of high-performing and fuel-efficient aircraft.

Wind tunnel testing is the preferred method of choice for determining the aerodynamic effects of a fluid
flowing past a body. Wind tunnel experiments can then be used to derive important flow properties like
lift and drag. There are 3 distinct types of wind tunnels closed return, open return, and pressure tunnel.

Theoretical Background
Wind tunnels are large tubes with air moving inside. They are used to mimic the actions of an object in
flight. Wind tunnels are used by researchers to better understand how an aircraft will fly. The Wright
brothers built their wind tunnel in 1901 around 30 years after Frank H. Wenham first invented it, and it
has been demonstrated to be the most crucial element in aviation design since it can increase efficiency
and reduce costs by monitoring how wind flows over an airfoil and a tubelike body.

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Apparatus
The wind tunnels.

Figure 1: The AF1300 wind tunnel used in the experiment.

The test was conducted using the AF1300 wind tunnel which is an open-circuit wind tunnel. The wind
tunnel has got an inlet that uses suction to channel the air into the test cell and the aerofoil is mounted
onto a system that can be used to test various angles of attack.
The NACA 0012 Aerofoil

Figure 2: Schematic of a NACA 0012 Aerofoil

A NACA 0012 aerofoil was used in this experiment, and it is a symmetrical aerofoil and produces zero
lift at a Zero angle of attack. There are pressure tapings on the aerofoil that are used for collecting local
surface pressure measurements.

Figure 3: The manometer setup to read the dynamic pressure (in mmH20) from the tunnel’s pitot

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Figure 4: Mercury barometer

The mercury barometer has a thermometer attached to it which was used to measure the temperature.

Figure 5: Shows a ladled picture of the console

Methodology
The following procedure is used to outline the process conducted to collect wind tunnel measurements
and derive the coefficient of lift results from the coefficient of pressure.

Step 1
The first step was to determine the flow velocity which was done by using the dynamic pressure from
the manometer reading on the control console (Shown in Figure 3) for the wind tunnel.
The equation used to calculate velocity from dynamic pressure is:
Equation 1: Velocity Equation

Where q is the dynamic pressure and p is the atmospheric density.

Step 2
Record the temperature and atmospheric pressure of the room which is given in mmHg and needs to be
converted to Pascals using (Equation 2) before being used in any calculations.
Equation 2 To convert from mmHg to Pa

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Step 3
Set up the tunnel by ensuring all the plugs are plugged in and powered on, then also turn the switch for
the console on and ensure the power LED turns on.

Step 4
Power on the computer and run the VIDAS application. Then connect the computer to the wind tunnel
console using the USB cable and the comms LED on the console should turn on. Then in the software
click the start ‘communication button’ when this is done the values on the console display should
change.
Step 5
Once the wind tunnel is on and the software is set up and running, Use the ‘Rename data series’ button
to rename the first data set NACA0012 Tunnel RPM 30% and a table will be produced that will be
filled with data from the wind tunnel. Before any results are taken zero all the readouts on the console
by pressing the reset buttons.
Step 6
Turn on the wind tunnel and adjust the dial until 30RPM and ensure that the tunnel inlet and outlet are
clear from any obstacles as these will alter the results. Lower the pitot tubes into the flow and then
record the readings for the dynamic pressure from the manometer. Once this is done the pitot tube can
be removed.
Table 1 Lab observations

Time Temperature(°C) Atmos’ Pressure Atmos’ Pressure Density (kg/m3)

(mmHg) (Pa)
12:30 14.0 754.5 524.83 1.21

Step 7
In order to collect the pressure measurements, adjust the aerofoil so that the angle of attack on the dial
is at zero then on the software click the ‘record new row of data’ button then the data will be recorded
for this angle of attack then repeat this step with adjusting the angle of attack all the way to 20 Degrees.
Step 8
Follow the steps from Step 5 again with the tunnel RPM set to 60% and 90%. Once this is done save
all the results then export them to the computer desktop as an excel file then save them to a memory
stick.

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Calculations.
Table 2: Showing calculations

Tunnel RPM Manometer reading (mmh2o) Dynamic Pressure (Pa) Velocity (m/s)
30 25.0 245.17 20.13
60 55.0 539.37 29.85
90 87.0 853.18 37.55

To find the dynamic pressure the manometer readings have to be converted from mmH2O to Pascals
by using the conversion 1mmH2O = 9.80665 pascals (Pa). And to find the velocity we use the equation
mentioned above in (equation 1) and this will give the velocity.

The coefficient of pressure was then calculated using (equation 3) down below with the help of
Microsoft Excel then the results were used to plot the coefficient of pressure plots.
Equation 3 Coefficient of pressure equation

To calculate the coefficient of lift (equation 4) was used and then the trapezium rule was used after to
calculate the lift in order to generate the coefficient of lift vs angle of attack graphs.
Equation 4 Coefficient of lift equation

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Graphs

Angle of Attack at 12° For 30RPM

0.00
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
-0.20
Coefficient of Pressure

-0.40

-0.60

-0.80

-1.00

Chord Length

Figure 6: Coefficient of Pressure Plot for 30%RPM

Angle of Attack at 10° For 60RPM

0.00
-0.20 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Coefficient of Pressure

-0.40
-0.60
-0.80
-1.00
-1.20
-1.40
-1.60
Chord Length

Figure 7:Coefficient of Pressure Plot for 60%RPM

Angle of Attack at 13° For 90RPM

0.30
0.25
Coefficient of Pressure

0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
-0.05 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
-0.10
Chord Length

Figure 8:Coefficient of Pressure Plot for 90%RPM

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Coefficient of Lift vs Angle of Attack

7
6
5
Coefficient of Lift

4
3
2
1
0
-1 0 5 10 15 20 25
Angle of Attack

Figure 9:Coefficient of Lift Plot For 30%RPM

Coefficient of Lift vs Angle of Attack

12
10
Coefficient of Lift

8
6
4
2
0
-2 0 5 10 15 20 25
Angle of Attack

Figure 10:Coefficient of Lift Plot For 60%RPM

Coefficient of Lift vs Angle of Attack

2.8
2.75
Coefficient of Lift

2.7
2.65
2.6
2.55
2.5
2.45
0 5 10 15 20
Angle of Attack

Figure 11:Coefficient of Lift Plot For 90%RPM

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Discussion

From (Figure 6 and 7) the airfoil is approaching the stall position meaning the lift has almost stopped
rising, this is because the pressure on the upper surface is equal to the pressure on the lower surface. In
(Figure 8) it shows the airfoil has started stalling at a low angle of attack because of the high RPM of
90%.

It can be seen for the graphs in (Figures 9 to 11) as the angle of attack increases the coefficient of lift
increases steadily as well until about 15 degrees where the graph starts to level out this is known as the
stall angle for the airfoil as the graph goes beyond 15 degrees the coefficient of lift starts to drop. For
symmetric airfoils like the NACA 0012 airfoil it is expected that the stall point is the same for the
positive and negative angles of attack.

Conclusion

In conclusion if this experiment is to be repeated in the future it would be preferable to carry out the
test multiple times in order to get better test results.

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References

History of wind tunnels (no date) NASA. NASA. Available at: https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-
12/WindTunnel/history.html (Accessed: November 26, 2022).

Wind tunnel theory (no date) NASA. NASA. Available at: https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-
12/airplane/tunnozt.html#:~:text=Wind%20Tunnel%20Theory&text=Aerodynamicists%20use%
20wind%20tunnels%20to,on%20the%20full%20scale%20aircraft. (Accessed: November 26, 2022).

Wild, F. (2015) What are wind tunnels? NASA. NASA. Available at:
https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-are-wind-tunnels-k4.html
(Accessed: November 26, 2022).

Wind tunnel testing of a NACA0012 aerofoil - researchgate (no date). Available at:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tumisang-
Kalagobe/publication/319649582_Wind_Tunnel_Testing_of_a_NACA0012_Aerofoil/links/59b7d716
a6fdcc7415c01042/Wind-Tunnel-Testing-of-a-NACA0012-Aerofoil.pdf (Accessed: November 26,
2022).

Wind tunnel (2016) The Franklin Institute. Available at: https://www.fi.edu/history-resources/wind-

tunnel#:~:text=In%20the%20Fall%20of%201901,they%20built%20a%20wind%20tunnel. (Accessed:
November 26, 2022).

Wind Tunnel Lab report - grade: 2:1 - aerospace propulsion systems and aerodynamics coursework -
(no date) StuDocu. Available at: https://www.studocu.com/en-gb/document/sheffield-hallam-
university/propulsion-systems-and-aerodynamics/wind-tunnel-lab-report-grade-21/1462268
(Accessed: November 26, 2022).

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