Numerical Simulations of a Segmented-Plenum, Perforated, Adaptive-Wall Wind Tunnel

Flow within the tunnel is simulated by modeling the incompressible interaction of the transpired turbulent boundary layers on the walls with the flow over the airfoil. Despite the fact that a finite number of plenum chambers can exert only imperfect control over the flow, it is demonstrated that one can still achieve what is for all practical purposes unconfined flow about the airfoil. Velocity differences produced at control surfaces outside the boundary layers by changing the pressure in one plenum chamber at a time, holding the other chamber pressures constant, are presented as influence functions. Implications of the analysis on tunnel design and automation are described.

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