Photogrammetric 3D Measurements and Visualization of Flow in Hydrodynamic Tunnel

Abstract

Flow visualization is an important mean for studying flow processes in aerodynamics and hydrodynamics. It allows obtaining qualitative valuable information about flow behaviour, that is needed for understanding of aerodynamic performance of an aircraft, especially in critical conditions. With growing advances in 3D optical measuring techniques, accurate 3D registration and measurements of fast developing processes became possible. The paper addresses the problem of accurate metric 3D reconstruction of flow in hydrodynamic tunnel that is necessary for studying aerodynamic process in aircraft icing conditions. It presents the techniques developed for optical measurement system calibration and for accurate flow 3D registration, and the results of laboratory flow 3D reconstruction and visualization. Experimental evaluation of the developed techniques in laboratory hydrodynamic tunnel demonstrated high accuracy of 3D measurements and readiness for applying in aircraft icing study.