Numerical Investigation of the Effects of Sidewall Interference and Model Deformation on Wind Tunnel Measurements of an Aerofoil

Abstract

The experimental results from previous two-dimensional aerofoil measurements at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) show notable discrepancies with the 2D CFD simulation results. Numerical investigations have been conducted in the DLR to reveal the existence of wind tunnel sidewall effects. Continuing from the preceding works, quantitative numerical studies are carried out in this thesis to determine the magnitude of the sidewall effects on the 2D wind tunnel measurements of the OA209 aerofoil. This new OA209 aerofoil model is under construction for future wind tunnel tests. 2D and 3D steady RANS simulations are performed with the DLR-TAU code. Grid dependence of the CFD simulations is analysed. The results of the 2D and 3D CFD simulations are compared to identify the sidewall effects in the closed wind tunnel test section. In addition, the possible aeroelastic effects from the new aerofoil model on the wind tunnel tests are investigated in the present study. During the process, the ANSYS-TAU coupling procedure developed by the DLR in Braunschweig is reproduced and implemented. The results predict that the new aerofoil model experiences minor deformation under the specified wind tunnel test conditions and the aeroelastic effects on the measurement results are negligible.