Technical Paper
Aerodynamic Flow Quality and Acoustic Characteristics of the 40- by 80-Foot Test Section Circuit of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex
1987-12-01
872328
THE 40- BY 80-FOOT WIND TUNNEL circuit of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex (NFAC) has recently undergone major modifications and subsequently completed final acceptance testing. The initial testing and calibration of the wind tunnel are described and in many cases these results are compared with predictions derived from model tests and theoretical analyses. The wind tunnel meets or exceeds essentially all performance objectives. The facility runs smoothly and routinely at its maximum test-section velocity of 300 knots(Mach number = 0.45). An effective cooling air exchange system enables the wind tunnel to operate indefinitely at this maximum power condition. Throughout the operating envelope of the wind tunnel the test-section dynamic pressure is uniform to within ±0.5%, the flow angularity is uniform to within ±0.5 deg, and the axial component of turbulence is generally less than 0.5%.