Developing a Numerical Model of the Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel for Uncertainty Quantification Based On Real-World Geometry

摘要

This work presents the initial development phase towards building a numerical model of the entire Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel circuit. Currently, the numerical study of the high-speed leg is discussed. The geometry of the simulation is based on the real-world geometry of the tunnel interior, obtained from laser-based point cloud measurements. In addition, the flow quality in the test section was measured in a detailed experimental campaign. Both the numerical and experimental work supports uncertainty quantification purposes. The experimental and numerical results are in a general agreement with each other. A uniform flow field is observed in the test section. The wall static pressure results from the measurements and simulation are also in good agreement. Discrepancies were found in the corners of the test section. From the experimental side, additional work is required and planned to resolve the flow behavior in these areas, while the numerical work is expected to match the experimental results better when the rest of the tunnel circuit is incorporated in the simulation.