Development of an Atmospheric-Boundary-Layer Profile at the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel

摘要

A launch vehicle ground-wind-loads program is underway at the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. The objectives are to quantify key aerodynamic and structural characteristics that impact the occurrence of large wind-induced oscillations of a launch vehicle when exposed to ground winds prior to launch. One such characteristic [of the wind near the ground] is the atmospheric boundary layer that includes both a wind profile and turbulence content. Although there are several facilities around the world dedicated to replicating atmospheric boundary layers, the development of such a boundary layer in a wind tunnel capable of producing flight-representative Reynolds numbers for aeroelastically-scaled models has not been previously accomplished. Aeroelastically-scaled models are frequently tested in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. This tunnel is capable of simulating flight-representative Reynolds numbers and is uniquely capable of replicating many fluid-structure scaling parameters typical of aeroelastic tests. This paper details the development and results of an atmospheric-boundary-layer simulation effort in the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel for purposes of launch vehicle testing.