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An Experimental Investigation of Blocking in a High-Speed, Closed Wind Tunnel Using the Wall Pressure Method

Citation

Francis, Donald Lowell (1949) An Experimental Investigation of Blocking in a High-Speed, Closed Wind Tunnel Using the Wall Pressure Method. Engineer's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/V893-YJ92. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-01232009-085025

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the possibility of using a semi-empirical, wall pressure method to determine wind tunnel blocking corrections in the transonic range. Included are axial distributions of velocity increments at the wall in the presence of the wing models. The main results are presented in the form of comparisons of the blockage corrections determined by the semi-empirical method with the blocking corrections obtained by direct calculation. The models used in this investigation were reflection-plane-mounted wings of various sizes and sweep angles and one two-dimensional wing. Data for wings at moderate angles of attach are included, when available. The results indicate that the corrections obtained by the semi-empirical method agree with those obtained by direct calculation in the range of Mach numbers where agreement is expected. The semi-empirical corrections become rapidly larger than the calculated corrections as the critical Mach number of the wing is exceeded. The magnitudes of the differences in the transonic range are sufficiently large to warrant the application of the semi-empirical method to transonic wind tunnel tests.

Item Type:Thesis (Engineer's thesis)
Subject Keywords:Aeronautics
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Aeronautics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Bell, Richard William
Group:GALCIT
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:1 January 1949
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-01232009-085025
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-01232009-085025
DOI:10.7907/V893-YJ92
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:307
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:23 Jan 2009
Last Modified:27 Mar 2023 23:52

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