Search Results

A wind tunnel balance was designed to measure the aerodynamic loads on a ruddevator system during tests in the WSU 7′ x 10′ wind tunnel. The design goal for the system was to produce a balance that could accurately uncouple the components of the aerodynamic loads such that the lift, pitching moment and rolling moment relative to the balance reference point could be measured separately. This was a challenge because of the dimensional constraints and because of the accuracy requirement for a large range of possible load distributions during the tests. A simple flat plate idealization of the actual balance system was designed for laboratory structural tests to investigate some possible balance design strategies prior to the construction of the actual balance. Specific parameters of interests during these tests were that of choice of material, level of response of the structure to simulated service loads and strain gage selection and circuit design.