Current Status and Prospects for Experimental Aerodynamics

Abstract

The current status of experimental aerodynamics is characterised by highly advanced wind tunnel techniques with complex models and measuring techniques on a sophisticated level. Major improvement has been achieved during the last years and considerable progress can be stated with respect to the physical understanding of phenomena relevant for aerodysnamic problems. Various experimental programmes provided high quality data for improvement of the physical modelling as well as validation of CFD codes. It is obvious that experimental aerodynamics is strongly connected with measurement techniques. Due to considerable improvement of conventional measurement techniques, progress in aerodynamics could be achieved. But new requirements deduced from the point of view of costs and the necessity to find solutions for much more complex aerodynamic problems, cannot be fulfilled by conventional techniques. Hence quite new approaches have to be considered. One promising solution to get future improvement is the application of advanced optical measurement techniques. mainly pressure sensitive paint /PSP) for pressure and force determination and particle image velocimetry (PIV) for flow field mapping are discussed with regard to expected progress in experimental aerodynamics.