Open-Loop Subsonic Suction Type Wind Tunnel: Design, Simulation, Build and Test

The technological advancement in drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), wind turbines, and airfoil research has grown rapidly since last decade. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is commonly used to study the airflow around a body. Yet, tunnel an essential instrument aerodynamic research; however, commercial normally comes with small test section incurs high investment costs. This paper presents development of low-cost subsonic open-loop for education purposes. suction-type intentionally designed large 1 m2 modular form where each can be rectified according application different parameter studies. detailed design steps, fabrication method, build are described, along flow that been conducted. Furthermore, 3D CFD simulation performed simulate condition good agreement between measurement observed. potential root cause discrepancy comparisons other tunnels discussed. From preliminary test, velocity turbulence intensity (TI) obtained from 5.16 m/s 3.14 % respectively. TI less than < 5%, which considered medium case small-scale specimens like micro turbines UAVs.