AE2751 Wind Tunnel Techniques

Part A: 2 Mark Questions

Unit 1
S. No. Question
1 Why is CFD not able to replace EFD (wind tunnel testing of models of aircraft and its components?
2 Give the primitive quantities, their symbols, units in SI system and symbols of units.
3 Determine the dimensions of the following variables and combinations of variables in terms of
primitive quantities.
a) Torque b) Power c) V2/2 d) (/)0.5 e) Q/ND3 f) 2P/V2 g) 2NC/AV2
4 Determine which of the following equations are dimensionally homogeneous.
a) Q=2CLH(2gH)1.5/3 b) V=1.49 R2/3S1/2/n c) hf=f LV2/2gD d) F=0.074BxV2/2Re0.2
5 What are the commonly used dimensionless numbers used for describing fluid flow? Define them.
6 Define torque coefficient and power coefficient of a propeller.
7 What are the forces acting on a fluid flow?
8 Define inertia and elastic forces. Define and name the non-dimensional number relating these forces.
9 Define inertia and viscous forces. Define and name the non-dimensional number relating these forces.
10 Define inertia and pressure forces. Define and name the non-dimensional number relating these forces.
11 Define inertia and gravity forces. Define and name the non-dimensional number relating these forces.
12 Define inertia and surface tension forces. Define and name the non-dimensional number relating
these forces.
13 Define Reynolds number. Explain its significance.
14 Define Mach number. Explain its significance.
15 Define Froude number. Explain its significance.
16 Define Euler number. Explain its significance.
17 Define Weber number. Explain its significance.
1819 Air is flowing at a velocity of 150 m/s at a temperature of 30 OC. Calculate the flow Mach number
(=1.4 and R=287 J/kg/K). What is the significance of Mach number?
20 Define dimensionless analysis and explain why it is used.
21 What are the conditions necessary to achieve complete similarity?
22 Write down the types of similarities.
2324 Define geometric similarity. If Lp, Bp and Dp are length, breadth, and diameter of prototype and Lm,
Bm, Dm are length, breadth, and diameter of model, how are they related?
25 The drag of a sphere depends on four parameters, namely sphere size (D), velocity (V), fluid density
() and fluid viscosity (). Write an expression for the drag in terms of non-dimensional parameters.
26 Define head coefficient and power coefficient of a centrifugal pump.
27 Define Buckingham’s  theorem.
28 The speed of a blimp of 5 m dia. and 60 m in still air is 10 m/s. What is the speed of a 1/10 scale
model to be tested in a wind tunnel, for dynamically similar conditions. Assume same ambient air
pressure and temperature for both model and prototype.
29 The speed of a blimp of 5 m dia. and 60 m in still air is 10 m/s. A 1/10 scale model is tested in a
wind tunnel, for dynamically similar conditions. The pressure difference between two points on the
surface of the model is measured as 18 kPa, what will be the pressure difference in the prototype.
Assume same ambient air pressure and temperature for both model and prototype.
30 The maximum rise of a liquid in a small capillary tube in a small capillary tube is a function of the
diameter of the tube, the surface tension, and the specific weight of the liquid. What are the
significant dimensionless parameters for the problem?

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 Unit 2
S. No. Question
1 What are the criteria used for wind tunnel classification?
2 What are the classifications of wind tunnel based on size?
3 What are the classifications of wind tunnel based on test section shape?
4 What are the classifications of wind tunnel based on velocity?
5 What are the classifications of wind tunnel based on configuration?
6 What are the classifications of wind tunnel based on test section?
7 What are the classifications of wind tunnel based on applications?
8 What are the classifications of wind tunnel based on special tunnels?
9 What are the classifications of wind tunnel based on duration of testing?
10 What are the advantages and disadvantages of open circuit wind tunnels?
11 What are the advantages and disadvantages of closed circuit wind tunnels?
12 What are the advantages and disadvantages of blow down type wind tunnel?
13 What are the advantages and disadvantages of open section wind tunnels?
14 What are the advantages and disadvantages of closed section wind tunnels?
15 What are the advantage and disadvantage of using a cryogenic wind tunnel?
16 What are the advantage and disadvantage of using a variable density wind tunnel?
17 Name some of the unconventional uses of wind tunnels (other than testing of wings, models etc).
18 What are the applications of vertical wind tunnels?
19 For a wind tunnel operating at a velocity of 100 m/s, what is the value of unit Reynolds number
(=1.2 kg/m3 and =1.8x10-5 kg/m/s). What is the significance of unit Reynolds number?
20 How do you justify testing of half models in wind tunnels? What are the advantages of testing half
models?
21 What is the maximum size of the model to be tested compared to the width of the wind tunnel?
22 What are turning vanes and where are they used?
23 What is the use of screens in wind tunnels?
24 What is the use of honey combs in wind tunnels?
25 What are the losses in supersonic tunnel?
26 How do you classify high speed tunnels based on Mach number?
27 What are the problems faced in the operation of supersonic tunnels?
28 What are the problems faced in the operation of hypersonic tunnels?
29 What is a Ludweig tube?
30 What is a hot shot tunnel?
31 What is the function of diffuser?
32 Define energy ratio.
33 What are the expected values of energy ratio for a return type of wind tunnel and an open jet type
wind tunnel?

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 Unit 3
S. No. Question
1 Define horizontal buoyancy. How can it be minimized?
2 What are the magnitude of the effect of horizontal buoyancy on wings, fuselages, nacelles and
torpodoes?
3 Name two methods used to measure longitudinal pressure gradient in wind tunnels.
4 What are the types of flow angularities?
5 What is the use of a drag sphere in wind tunnel calibration?
6 How do you measure turbulence during wind tunnel calibration?
7 What is the criterion used in using a drag sphere to measure turbulence in a wind tunnel?
8 In the velocity survey a low speed wind tunnel, it is found the velocity at some places is more than
that at other places. How can you make the flow more uniform?
9 How is Mach number measured in a supersonic tunnel, when the expected Mach number is less
than 1.6? Give relevant equations.
10 How is Mach number measured in a supersonic tunnel, when the expected Mach number is more
than 1.6? Give relevant equations.
11 What is the primary problem is measuring static pressures in supersonic wind tunnel and how is it
addressed?
12 What is the use of a cone-cylinder probe in a supersonic wind tunnel and how is it justified?
13 How does the center line Mach number varies with Reynolds number in a supersonic wind tunnel?
14 What is the use of a transition cone in supersonic wind tunnel calibration?
15 What are the methods to reduce turbulence inside the test section?
16 How is the flow angularity in a supersonic wind tunnel determined?
17 What are probes used to measure flow angles in a supersonic wind tunnel?
18 How is transition on a transition cone detected in a supersonic wind tunnel?

Unit 4
S. No. Question
1 What is the principle of liquid manometer?
2 What are the types of pressure transducers?
3 List out some advantages of pressure transducers?
4 List out some disadvantages of pressure transducers?
5 What is a pressure scanner?
6 List out some advantages of pressure scanner?
7 List out some disadvantages of pressure scanner?
8 What is pressure sensitive paint technique?
9 List out some advantages of pressure sensitive paint technique?
10 List out some disadvantages of pressure sensitive paint technique?
11 What is angle of insensitivity for different types of Pitot probe?
12 What is a Kiel probe? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
13 What is angle of insensitivity for different types of Kiel probe?

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14 What are the advantages and disadvantages of Kiel and Pitot probes?
15 Why the static pressure taps of a static pressure probe (or a Pitot static pressure probe) are placed
far from its nose and stem?
16 What are the advantages of a Prandtl probe compared to a NPL type Pitot static probe?
17 State the principle of thermal anemometry?
18 What are the materials used for hot wire probes?
19 What are the two types of thermal anemometry probes?
20 What are the three types of thermal anemometers?
21 What are the advantages of thermal anemometry?
22 What are the disadvantages of thermal anemometry?
23 State the principle of LDA?
24 What are the advantages of LDA?
25 What are the disadvantages of LDA?
26 What is reference beam system?
27 What is crossed beam or fringe mode system?
28 State the principle of PIV?
29 What are the advantages of PIV?
30 What are the disadvantages of PIV?
31 What are the differences in operation of LDV and PIV?
32 Define wind tunnel balance?
33 What are the classifications of wind tunnel balances?
34 What are the advantages and disadvantages of internal and external balances?
35 What are the advantages and disadvantages of six and three component balances?
36 What do you mean by wire type balance?
37 What do you mean by strut type balance?
38 What do you mean by platform type balance?
39 What do you mean by yoke type balance?
40 What do you mean by strain gage type balance?
41 What are the classifications of strut type balances?
42 What are the types of strain gauge balances?

Unit 5
S. No. Question
1 Define pathline.
2 Define streakline.
3 Define streamline.
4 How can we classify flow visualization?
5 What are the key aspects of surface flow that can be investigated from surface flow
visualization?
6 What are the requirements of tufts?
7 What are the materials used for making tufts?
8 What are the materials used for making minitufts?
9 What are the advantages of using tufts?
10 With the help of neat sketches describe tuft flow visualization technique using a suitable
example.

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11 What are the application of smoke visualization?
12 With the help of neat sketches describe smoke visualization technique using a suitable
example.
13 With the help of neat sketches describe oil flow visualization technique using a suitable
example.
14 What are the methods of optical flow visualization?
15 What are the advantages of optical techniques?
16 What is the fundamental principle of the interferometer?
17 What is the fundamental principle of Schlieren technique?
18 With the help of neat sketches describe holographic interferometer visualization technique
using a suitable example.
19 With the help of neat sketches describe Schlieren flow visualization technique using a suitable
example.
20 With the help of neat sketches describe infra thermography flow visualization technique using
a suitable example.

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 Part B: 16 Mark Questions
Unit 1

S. No. Question
1 Compare and contrast CFD and EFD.
2 Explain the Buckingham’s  theorem with a suitable example.
3 Define any five non dimensionless numbers and explain their significance.
4 Define and describe the physical significance of the following dimensionless numbers.
a) Reynolds number b) Mach number c) Euler number d) Froude number
5 What are the forces acting on a fluid flow? Based on the definitions of these forces, define various
non-dimensional numbers.
6 An aircraft is to fly at 400 m/s at a height of 9 km where the pressure and temperature are 30 kPa
and –45 OC. A 1/20 model is tested in a pressurized wind tunnel in which the air at 15 OC. For
complete dynamic similarity, what should be pressure and velocity in the wind tunnel? Take
μ=T1.5 (T+117), P=ρRT. T is in degrees Kelvin and γ is the ratio of specific heats.
7 A 7.2 m height and 15 m long spillway discharges 94 m3/s discharge under a head of 2 m. If 1:9 scale
model of this spillway is to be constructed, determine model dimensions, head over spillway model
and the model discharge. If model experience a force of 7500 N, determine force on the prototype.
8 Power input (P) of a centrifugal pump is a function of volume flow rate Q, impeller diameter (D),
rotational rate (), density (), viscosity (). Using Buckingham’s  theorem express non-
dimensional power in terms of non-dimensional groups.
9 Derive on the basis of dimensional analysis suitable parameters to present the thrust developed by
a propeller. Assume that the thrust depends on the angular velocity, speed of advance, diameter
dynamic viscosity, mass density, and elasticity of the fluid medium which can be denoted by the
speed of sound in the medium?
10 The pressure difference in a pipe of diameter and length due to viscous flow depends on the velocity,
viscosity and density. Using Buckingham theorem obtain an expression for the pressure difference.
11 What are the conditions necessary for complete similarity? Explain clearly how these conditions
can be met.
12 What is the importance of model studies? What do you mean by complete similarity (similitude)?

Unit 2

S. No. Question
1 Discuss the classification of wind tunnels based on different criteria.
2 With the help of a neat sketch describe the working of an open circuit open test section low speed
wind tunnel.
3 With the help of a neat sketch describe the working of an open circuit closed test section low
speed wind tunnel.
4 With the help of a neat sketch describe the working of a return circuit open test section low speed
wind tunnel.
5 With the help of a neat sketch describe the working of a return circuit closed test section low speed
wind tunnel.
6 With a neat sketch describe the operation of a Ludweig tube.
7 With a neat sketch describe the operation of a hot shot wind tunnel.
8 With a neat sketch explain about types of supersonic wind tunnels
9 With a neat sketch describe the operation of any type of supersonic wind tunnel.

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 10 With a neat sketch describe the operation of a hypersonic wind tunnel.
11 A closed return circuit wind tunnel of large contraction ratio has air at standard sea level
conditions in the settling chamber upstream of the contraction to the test section. Assuming
isentropic compressible flow in the wind tunnel, estimate the speed and the kinetic energy per unit
area in the working section when the Mach number is 0.75.
12 A continuous wind tunnel operates at Mach 2.5 at the test-section with static conditions corresponding
to 10 km altitude (p=26.5 kPa and T=223 K). The test section is 160x150 mm in cross section,
with a supersonic diffuser downstream of the test section. Determine the power requirements of
the compressor during start-up and during steady state operation. Assume the compressor inlet
temperature to be same as the test section stagnation temperature.
13 What is the allowable percentage blockage for a blowdown supersonic tunnel? If the blockage is
more than the allowable limit, what will be its effect on the tunnel operation?

Unit 3

S. No. Question
1 A low speed wind tunnel has a test section of 1 m2 with the test section velocity of 50 m/s. The
contraction ratio is 16. Assuming K1 is 0.01, determine the static pressure difference between the
settling chamber and test section. Derive all the required and draw neat sketches.
2 Derive the expression for test section speed.
3 Describe in detail the method used to measure turbulence during wind tunnel calibration.
4 Draw a neat sketch of a transition cone. Describe in detail its use in supersonic wind tunnel
calibration.
5 Describe various losses that occur in subsonic wind tunnels.
6 Describe various losses that occur in supersonic wind tunnels.
7 With a neat sketch describe calibration of a subsonic wind tunnel.
8 With a neat sketch describe calibration of a supersonic wind tunnel.
9 Explain about flow angularity measurements and its types.
10 With a neat sketch explain about turbulence measurements in a subsonic wind tunnel.
11 With a neat sketch explain about turbulence measurements in a supersonic wind tunnel.

Unit 4
S. No. Question
1 With a neat sketch explain how total pressure is measured using a Pitot tube. Describe in detail
various errors that occur in Pitot probe measurements.
2 Explain with the help of neat sketches working of a Prandtl probe. What are differences and
advantages of this probe compared to a NPL type of Pitot static pressure probe?
3 With a neat sketch explain velocity measurements using thermal anemometry.
4 The following data refer to calibration of a single normal sensor hot wire probe. Determine the
constants in the King’s law.
Velocity (m/s) 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Voltage (Volts) 2.45 3.88 4.25 4.51 4.74 4.91 5.05 5.36 5.49 5.61 5.72
5 With a neat sketch explain velocity measurements using LDA.
6 With a neat sketch explain velocity measurements using PIV.
7 With a neat sketch explain pressure measurements by using transducers.
8 Explain about any one types of wind tunnel balances with a neat sketch.
9 With a neat sketch explain about force measurements in wind tunnel.

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 Unit 5
S. No. Question
1 How do classify flow visualization techniques? Describe their uses.
2 Explain flow visualization method by using smoke and tuft grid techniques.
3 Classify surface flow visualization techniques. What are their advantages and disadvantages?
4 With a neat sketch explain dye injection technique.
5 Describe smoke visualization technique with the help of a suitable application.
6 Describe tuft visualization technique with the help of a suitable application.
7 Describe mini tuft visualization technique with the help of a suitable application. What are its
advantages compared to tuft visualization technique?
8 Describe smoke wire visualization technique with the help of a suitable application. What are
its advantages compared to smoke visualization technique?
9 Describe oil flow visualization technique with the help of a suitable application.
10 What are the effects of various flow visualization techniques on the lift curve of an airfoil?
11 What do you understand symmetry and hysteresis in flow visualization techniques? What are
their significance and effects?
12 Describe flow visualization techniques used for boundary layers.
13 Describe the various flow visualization techniques used in compressible flows?
14 Describe in detail shadowgraph method of flow visualization with the help of a suitable example.
15 Describe in detail Schlieren method of flow visualization with the help of a suitable example.
16 Describe in detail interferometry method of flow visualization with the help of a suitable
example.
17 Describe in detail PIV method of flow visualization with the help of a suitable example.
18 Describe in detail LDV method of flow visualization with the help of a suitable example.
19 Describe in detail holography interferometry method of flow visualization with the help of a
suitable example.