Validation of the St. Louis University Wind Tunnel for Use by The Boeing Company

Abstract

The Parks College Low Speed Wind Tunnel (LSWT) is located on the campus of St. Louis University near McDonnell-Douglas Hall in the historic mid-town section of St. Louis. Since the 1970’s, Parks has operated the LSWT for academic instruction and commercial research as aerodynamic laboratory and wind tunnel test-bed. This facility is particularly well suited for exploratory tests with inexpensive and easily modified wind tunnel models. Mechanical and computer software upgrades to the Parks Wind Tunnel have been on going but a more thorough modernization effort commenced in 2006. Contingent upon supplementary use by industry was the installation of a new windowed test section, a satisfactory wind tunnel sting model support system, and a subsequent characterization of the airflow quality. Support for the modernization effort was provided by the Boeing Company. The close proximity of the Parks facilities to Boeing-St. Louis provides an attractive, convenient option to researchers by reducing long distance travel, shipping costs, and affords rapid accessibility to an important aerodynamic tool, while presenting an opportunity to enhance relations between the university and industry. This paper will discuss the existing wind tunnel, the physical upgrades to the wind tunnel, the user interface, and the characterization of the wind tunnel to assess the wind tunnel performance.