Calibration of the AEDC-PWT 16-Ft Transonic Tunnel with the Propulsion Test Section at Various Reynolds Numbers

Abstract

Abstract : Tests were conducted in the AEDC Propulsion Wind Tunnel (16T) to determine the tunnel test section Mach number distributions and calibration at various Reynolds numbers. The calibration was conducted at Mach numbers from 0.2 to 1.6 and at Reynolds numbers from 400,000/ft to 6,400,000/ft. The calibration was conducted using the propulsion test section (Test Section 1) and centerline pipe and wall pressure orifices to define the Mach number distributions. A quantitative evaluation of the effects of tunnel pressure ratio, test section wall angle, and Reynolds number on the centerline Mach number distributions was determined by analysis of the local Mach number deviations. The results indicate that Mach number distributions of good quality are obtained for both zero and the optimum wall angle schedule. For complete generality, the Tunnel 16T calibration must be defined as a function of test section wall angle, Reynolds number, and Mach number.