The 0.9 m wind tunnel was originally a 1/10th scale model of the 9 m wind tunnel and has for several decades served the industrial and research communities.
In its current form, the wind tunnel accommodates a closed- or ¾-open-jet test section of 1.0 m width and 0.8 m height. The wind tunnel's wind speed ranges from 0 to 44 m/s and has particle image velocimetry (PIV) capability.
Our capabilities
The relatively small size of the facility enables it to be used for prototype development of capabilities which can be later integrated into the 9 m and 2 m x 3 m wind tunnels.
Recently, the NRC developed a small-scale flow treatment system (FTS) to be installed in the 9 m wind tunnel. The FTS will provide turbulent wind conditions representative of what is experienced by ground vehicles on Canadian highways. The effects of different turbulence-generating devices were evaluated for their influence on a typical tractor-trailer combination. An updated data acquisition system provided high-speed measurements for a combination of fast-response pressure probes to investigate the turbulent winds, a lightweight model matched to a cruciform balance and turntable to evaluate the dynamic loads experienced by the tractor-trailer, and a pressure model examined the unsteady surface pressures on the tractor trailer.
The 0.9 m wind tunnel circuit has been upgraded with acoustically treated turning vanes by lining the plenum chamber with acoustic wedges and therefore reducing the background noise levels in the test section. This has transformed the tunnel into an excellent facility to perform detailed acoustic measurements of small-scale models for both the aerospace and automotive communities.
Acquired by a high channel-count phased-microphone array, these acoustic measurements can be used to locate the dominant sound sources of a wind tunnel model allowing for the exploration of noise reduction techniques, ultimately resulting in a quieter aircraft or road vehicle. When combined with aerodynamic data acquired simultaneously, the acoustic data can highlight areas of high drag, key information in increasing fuel efficiency.
The facility is also used to calibrate a wide range of flow-measurement equipment for commercial and public sector clients.
Why work with us
NRC has recognized expertise in wind tunnel correction methodologies, pressure sensitive paint technology, model deformation measurement capability and flow mapping. Our world-renowned team includes aerodynamicists, flight engineers and business experts that will support your research initiatives with professional services and industry know-how. Working in our unique facilities to test, validate and demonstrate your product provides a controlled environment to de-risk new and experimental products with reliable data that will be critical in the large-scale or commercial development of your product.
We also have prominent competencies in:
- aeroacoustic measurement, testing and evaluation, which can determine three dimensional sound fields generated by a model in a wind tunnel
- flight vehicle aerodynamics
- ground vehicle and ground-based structures aerodynamics
- icing formation, detection and mitigation, including a significant capability to experimentally and numerically study the effects of icing on the performance of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and cables
- sports aerodynamics, preparing athletes with critical data that can maximize speed and performance
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Contact us
Business Development Team
Aerospace Research Centre
Email: nrc.aerobdt-edaaero.cnrc@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca