Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA
Date of Award
12-2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Mechanical Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Robert Freeman
Second Advisor
Dr. Isaac Choutapalli
Third Advisor
Dr. Horacio Vasquez
Abstract
Water tunnels are ideal for studying flow patterns for hydrodynamic effects. The functionality of the University of Texas-Pan American water tunnel was limited by not being able to measure forces and moments corresponding to flow patterns. This report delivers an experimental set-up for calibrating the velocity of the water and development of a load measuring system to relate simultaneous visual investigation. An in-depth parts breakdown of the SST-model pump and the dye injection system for flow visualization will be reviewed. Few balances have been made for water tunnels due to small and difficult to measure flow-induced forces. The motive is to interpret the coincident load measurement to the observed flow behavior. The UTPA aerodynamic laboratory has developed a multi-component strain-gauge force balance measurement system for its water tunnel. This setup, in its entirety, is able to relate the velocity of the flow to the measured forces and visual flow patterns.
Granting Institution
University of Texas-Pan American
Comments
Copyright 2014 John J. Taylor. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/low-speed-water-tunnel-testing/docview/1659795522/se-2