40 Scientific Technical Review, 2014,Vol.64,No.3,pp.

40-46

UDK: 533.6.07(047)=20
COSATI: 01-01

External Six-Component Strain Gauge Balance for

Low Speed Wind Tunnels

Marija Samardžić1)
Zoran Anastasijević1)
Dragan Marinkovski1)
Dušan Ćurčić1)
Jovan Isaković2)

The external six-component wind tunnel balance designed and manufactured in the Military Technical Institute is
described in this paper. The balance is of a platform type. Aerodynamic load which acts on a model in the wind tunnel
test section is transferred into the set of six load cells. The relations between the aerodynamic load and the forces
measured using the balance load cells are presented. All load cells are gauged with foil strain gauges. The results of the
balance calibration are shown. The balance calibration was done using dead weights.

Key words: wind tunnel, strain gauge balance, load cell, calibration.

Introduction are described in [15]. This computer separation allows for a

significant reduction of the calibration procedure and for
A wind tunnel balance is a structural elastic device
designed to measure aerodynamic load generated on a
model during a wind tunnel test. Also, a wind tunnel
considerable improvement of measurement accuracy of roll,
pitch and yaw moments. The six-component pyramidal type
balance supports a model in the wind tunnel test section. external balances with strain gauge load cells for the low
One of the balance main functions is to resolve the total speed wind tunnel in the Korea Aerospace Research Institute
aerodynamic load into a number of components (generally and for the low speed wind tunnel in the University
between three and six). Many types of wind tunnel balances Teknologi Malaysia are shown in [16, 17]. These two
are possible and each of them is appropriate to a particular balances are with a virtual balance moment at the centre of
set of circumstances. The balance type can be defined by the wind tunnel test section. The external balance with six
the location at which it is placed. If a balance is placed strain gauge load cells for the measurements in the Subsonic
inside a model, it is referred to as an internal balance [1-6] and Transonic Facilities (TA-2) in the Institute of
and if it is located outside of a model or a wind tunnel test Aeronautics and Space in Brazil can bee seen in [18]. The
section, it is referred to as an external balance. external balances can be used in different types of wind
External balances can be designed as one-piece or multi- tunnel measurements, and very often they are used in the
piece balances. The one-piece balances are usually referred to testing of full-scale automobiles [19].
as side-wall balances as used in half-model tests [7,8]. The The six-component external wind tunnel balance,
multi-piece external balances usually comprise single forces presented in this paper, is designed in the Military
transducers connected by a framework. Usually, there is plenty Technical Institute (VTI, Belgrade). The load sensing
of space available around the wind tunnel test section and the elements are high precision, strain gauged load cells with
construction of an external balance can be optimized with excellent repeatability and linearity characteristics. The
respect to measurement requirements such as optimized geometrical construction of the load sensing systems allows
sensitivity, stiffness and decoupling of load interactions. the complete separation and independent measurement of
Wind tunnel balance accuracy is a result of a very fragile the six components of the aerodynamic load: lift force, drag
chain of conditions such as balance design and a balance force, side force, pitching moment, rolling moment and
calibration system. By adequately choosing the balance yawing moment. All balance load cells are made and
concept and adequately designing several functional parts gauged in the VTI. The balance calibration was done in the
of the balance, highly predictable behaviour can be T-38 wind tunnel calibration hall.
achieved. The accuracy of the calibration equipment and
calibration procedures determines directly the accuracy of a Balance design
wind tunnel balance [9-14]. The external balance is designed for use in wind tunnels
The external strain gauge platform- and pyramidal-type with rectangle test sections with dimensions 0.4-0.6 m x
balances with computer separation of forces and moments 0.4-0.6 m. The recommended speed range for wind tunnel

1)
Military Technical Institute (VTI), Ratka Resanovića 1, 11132 Belgrade, SERBIA
2)
College of Applied Engineering Studies, Tehnikum Taurunum, Nade Dimić 4, 11080 Belgrade, SERBIA
 SAMARDŽIĆ,M. etc.: EXTERNAL SIX-COMPONENT STRAIN GAUGE BALANCE FOR LOW SPEED WIND TUNNELS 41

testing is up to 50 m/s. The balance is of a platform type,

Fig.1. The measuring section which consists of three
vertical and three horizontal load cells is situated under the
floor of the wind tunnel test section. Table 1 shows the
design loads of the balance [20].

Figure 2. Forces and moments on a wind tunnel model

Arrangement of the six load cells is shown in Fig.3,

where c1, c2, f, l and n are the lengths used in the definition
of the relation between the components of aerodynamic
load and the forces measured in the load cells, O is the
model referent point, O1 is the balance referent point, x, y
and z are the system axes, X is the drag force, Y is the side
force, Z is the lift force, L is the rolling moment, M is the
pitching moment, N is the yawing moment, XD, XL, YY,
ZPD, ZPL and ZZ are the forces measured by the load cells.

Figure1. Six-component external balance

The balance consists of the triangle platform connected to

the rotating frame through the rods and pivot flexures. A
wind tunnel model is connected to the triangle platform by
two support struts: the main support strut and the tail support
strut. A model movement in the pitch and yaw is fully
automated by two step motors with the control unit based on
the PC computer. The pitch mechanism is placed on the
rotating frame and the yaw mechanism is placed on the fixed
frame. The model position mechanism in pitch is of a
parallelogram type with a leading screw. The model position
mechanism in yaw consists of the worm gearing. The chosen
design enables a model position in pitch in the range of -20°
to +30°, as well as in yaw in the range of -180° to +180°.
Figure 3. Arrangement of the load cells
Table 1. The balance design load
Balance component Design load
The relations between the components of the
Lift force, (N) 150
aerodynamic load and six forces measured by the load cells
Drag force, (N) 100 are given in the equation below:
Side force, (N) 75
Pitching moment, (Nm) 7
X = XD + XL
Rolling moment, (Nm) 7
Yawing moment, (Nm) 7 Y = YY
Forces and moments that act on a model are shown in
Fig.2, where V is free stream velocity. The main and tail Z = ZPD + ZPL + ZZ
support struts transfer aerodynamic load to the set of the (1)
load cells via the triangle platform. All load cells are L = c2 ⋅ YY + l ⋅ ZPD − l ⋅ ZPL
connected to the data acquisition system. In order to
minimize mechanical interference between the measured M = −c1 ⋅ XD − c1 ⋅ XL + f ⋅ ZPD + f ⋅ ZPL − 2 f ⋅ ZZ
components, the components of the aerodynamic load are
applied to the load cells via rods provided with elastic pivot N = −n ⋅ XD + n ⋅ XL
flexures.
42 SAMARDŽIĆ,M. etc.: EXTERNAL SIX-COMPONENT STRAIN GAUGE BALANCE FOR LOW SPEED WIND TUNNELS

Single-force load cells

Three vertical and three horizontal load cells are based
on the measurement of the bending stress. This type of load
cells has one main advantage: bending moment always
produces a positive and negative stress of the same
magnitude. The same magnitudes of the stress make the
application of full Wheatstone bridge with two gauges in
the tensile strain field and two in the compressive strain
filed easier. This configuration gives a high output signal
for a given strain level and, if the gauges are bonded close
together, it minimizes thermal effects.

Figure 5. Single-force load cell

All balance load cells were designed with the same

design principle. The only difference between them is their
load range. The dimensions of the measuring sections were
defined according to the load cell range. A single-force load
cell is shown in Fig.5, where F is a force that acts on the
load cell, Lt, b and h are distinctive dimensions of the
measuring element, e is an output signal from the load cell
and U is excitation voltage. Load cells ranges were
Figure 4. Effect of aerodynamic load on the load cells determined according to the balance components load
range. Horizontal load cells are in the range of 100 N while
The rolling moment, pitching moment and drag force vertical load cells are in the range of 200 N. Material used
effect on the corresponding load cells is shown in Fig.4. for cells is high-quality ARMCO PH 13.8-Mo steel, with
The load cells which are loaded are marked with red colour. high mechanical characteristics and high corrosion
 SAMARDŽIĆ,M. etc.: EXTERNAL SIX-COMPONENT STRAIN GAUGE BALANCE FOR LOW SPEED WIND TUNNELS 43

resistance. The experience in designing strain gauge consists of the manual application of dead weights.
balances in the VTI showed that this stainless steel is one of Calibration increments of dead weights are applied to the
the best choices of material. The selected material has a balance at precise locations relative to the balance reference
strong influence on the hysteresis, creep and repeatability of centre. This process is used for both positive and negative
the force transducers. loadings at various stations. The selection of calibration
Bending stress and strain at the strain gauges location loads is one of the most important elements in the
are: calibration process. Ideally, a balance should be calibrated
over only those loads expected during a specific wind
1⋅F ⋅L tunnel test program. For the most calibration programs,
t
σb = 2 combined load effects must also be developed.
b ⋅ h2 , (2) The balance calibration and the wind tunnel test balance
6 data reduction algorithms used in the VTI are a
σb
ε= generalization developed upon the concept presented by
E Galway [23]. This method was further developed and lately
Where: σ b is the bending stress, ε is the strain and E is the it has become known as the "Single-Vector Force
modulus of elasticity. Calibration Method" [24]. The generalized calibration
The value of the strain in the horizontal load cells is: method developed in the VTI permits more than one
composite load vector to be applied [25,26].
μm Fig.6 shows the set up for the calibration of the six-
ε1 = 966.7 ⋅10−6 , (3) component balance. The calibration body was mounted on
m
the supporting struts, replacing a wind tunnel model. The
while in the vertical load cells it is: calibration body was made from two crossed beams on
μm which the measured load application points were positioned
ε 2 = 920.5 ⋅10−6 . (4) very accurately. During the calibration, each component
m
was loaded at least 5 increments from zero to the maximum
The selection of strain gauges was done in accordance load. The coefficients of the calibration matrix were
with the values of the measured strain and the dimensions calculated for each component by the least-squares method
of the measuring sections. The gauge selection process using the data from the complete representative load subset.
consists of determining the particular available combination
of parameters which is most compatible with the
environmental and other operating conditions and at the
same time best satisfies the balance and operating
constrains. The process of gauge selection generally
involves compromises. The selection of the optimum strain
gauges is an iterative process, moving between the
requirements of the load cell and the characteristics of the
available strain gauges. The selected strain gauges for all
load cells are TK-06-S082R-350 [21].
The optimum strain gauge excitation level depends on
the size and type of the strain gauge. Excitation voltage
should be as high as possible to get a high output signal, but
high excitation voltages heat up the gauge and can produce
associated errors. The selected strain gauges and load cells
material allow maximum excitation voltages of 20 V [22].
The excitation voltage of 6 V was selected for all load cells.
The nominal values of the output signals from the load cells
are:
e1 = k ⋅ U ⋅ ε1 = 11.6 mV (5)

e2 = k ⋅ U ⋅ ε 2 = 11.97 mV (6)
where e1 and e2 are the output signals from the horizontal
and vertical load cells, respectively, and k is the strain
gauges sensitivity factor.
Before the external balance was assembled, the load
cells had been calibrated. The achieved accuracy, for each
load cell, was 0.05 % of the cell full scale.

Calibration of the balance

The calibration process relates the recorded output of the
balance measuring bridges to a specified and defined force
vector applied to the balance. To obtain the highest quality
data during a wind tunnel test, great care has to be taken in
both the design of a balance and the choice of calibration Figure 6. Calibration of the six-component external balance
methods. The most commonly used method of calibration
44 SAMARDŽIĆ,M. etc.: EXTERNAL SIX-COMPONENT STRAIN GAUGE BALANCE FOR LOW SPEED WIND TUNNELS

In the mathematical model selected for the calculation of vector of the output signals from the load cells, [C ] is the
the calibration matrix for the new balance, the output
balance calibration matrix and
signals are expressed as functions of the applied loads:
{F } = {ZPD, ZPL, ZZ , XL, XD, YY }T is the vector of
{e} = [C ]{F } (7)
the balance load cells.
The matrix below shows the obtained calibration matrix:
where {e} = {eZPD , e ZPL , eZZ , eXL , eXD , eYY } T
is the

⎡ 7.84296 ⋅10−6 2.67539 ⋅10−8 2.60566 ⋅10−8 −1.11741 ⋅10−7 2.20897 ⋅10−7 −5.18028 ⋅10−8 ⎤
⎢ 4.39524 ⋅10−8 7.98568 ⋅10−6 4.55817 ⋅10−8 −2.51020 ⋅10−7 −2.60434 ⋅10−8 −1.45441 ⋅10−7 ⎥
⎢ ⎥
−5.28450 ⋅10−9 −2.74084 ⋅10−8 7.89606 ⋅10−6 6.19845 ⋅10−7 5.08105 ⋅10−8 −2.20494 ⋅10−8 ⎥
[C ] = ⎢⎢ (8)
−6.60848 ⋅10−8 1.55969 ⋅10−10 9.13932 ⋅10−8 1.84165 ⋅10−5 5.92386 ⋅10−7 2.30471 ⋅10−8 ⎥
⎢ −8 ⎥
⎢ −7.00291 ⋅10 1.56519 ⋅10−8 −1.34279 ⋅10−7 −5.71505 ⋅10−8 1.88196 ⋅10−5 −8.88533 ⋅10−8 ⎥
⎣⎢ 1.99289 ⋅10 1.86023 ⋅10−5 ⎦⎥
−7
1.36100 ⋅10−7 2.32718 ⋅10−7 −1.56258 ⋅10 −7 −2.09407 ⋅10−7
The accuracy achieved in the balance checkout is The accuracy achieved for the composite loads
displayed on the graphs in Fig.7 where Err is the maximum (calculated components of the aerodynamic load) is listed
difference between the applied and measured load and FS is in Table 3.
the component full scale. The nominal component
accuracies (displayed with lines on the graphs) are better Table 3. Accuracy of the composite loads
than 0.5% FS. Component X Y Z L M N
Range (N/Nm) 100 75 150 7 7 7
Fmax (N/Nm) 98.06 78.45 173.92 3.43 4.12 7.08
Fmin (N/Nm) -98.06 -78.45 -154.09 -3.43 -4.12 -7.08
Err (N/Nm) -0.338 -0.281 0.327 -0.062 0.061 -0.029
Err (% FS) -0.338 -0.374 0.218 -0.886 0.871 -0.414
Std.d (% FS) 0.103 0.112 0.085 0.213 0.246 0.154

Conclusion
The six-component external balance described in this article
is the first platform type balance designed and manufactured in
the VTI. It is shown that the balance has provided very good
accuracy. Accurate measurement of the aerodynamic forces
and moments is a major task in wind tunnels testing. Usually,
design and manufacturing of wind tunnel balances are based
on very contrasting requirements. The balance flexure
elements should be optimized such that the magnitude of the
strain response is approximately the same for the individual
application of each component of the load. However, the
magnitudes of the loads generated on a wind tunnel model in
each balance component are not equivalent; therefore, the
flexure elements do not have the same deflection in all
directions. Ideally, each balance response signal should
respond to its respective component of load and it should have
no response to other components of the load. This is not
entirely possible. The design of the described balance was
optimized to minimize interaction effects.
Figure 7. Accuracy achieved in the balance checkout The result of the calibration is a calibration matrix with six
Tables 2 lists a summary of the achieved accuracy of each terms per load cells. This was the first calibration of the new
load cell as obtained in a checkout after the calculation of the balance. The achieved accuracy of all balance load cells in the
calibration matrix, where Fmax is the maximum applied load, set is approximately 0.25% within a designed load range
Fmin is the minimum applied load and Std.d is the standard (based on three standard deviations), or even better. The
deviation of errors. A checkout was performed on the same accuracy achieved for the composite loads is very satisfactory
load subset that was used to calculate the matrix. considering the balance type and its operational requirements.
Combined load effects have to be included in the next
Table 2. Accuracy of the load cells calibration of the balance. It can be expected that the
introduction of load cases with combined load effects will
Load cell ZPD ZPL ZZ XL XD YY improve the accuracy of balance calibration.
Range (N) 200 200 200 100 100 100
Fmax (N) 87.00 87.00 121.09 49.03 49.03 78.4
Fmin (N) -91.67 -91.67 -125.76 -49.03 -49.03 -78.45 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Err (N) -0.396 0.390 -0.444 -0.226 -0.162 -0.281 This paper was supported by the Ministry of Education
Err (% FS) -0.198 0.195 -0.222 -0.226 -0.162 -0.281 and Science of Serbia [project number TR 36050, 2011-
Std.d (%FS) 0.056 0.064 0.080 0.082 0.039 0.084 2015].
 SAMARDŽIĆ,M. etc.: EXTERNAL SIX-COMPONENT STRAIN GAUGE BALANCE FOR LOW SPEED WIND TUNNELS 45

References [13] ALMEIDA,R.A.B., VAZ,D.C., URGUEIRA,A.P.V., BORGES,A.R.J.:

Using ring strain sensor to measure dynamic forces in wind-tunnel
[1] SAMARDŽIĆ,M., ANASTASIJEVIĆ,Z., MARINKOVSKI,D., testing, Sensor and Actuators A: Physical,2012, 185, pp.44-52.
ISAKOVIĆ,J. TANČIĆ,Lj.: Measurement of pitch - and roll- [14] KAWAMURA,T., NAGAYA,H., HASHIOKA,T., MORI,T.,
damping derivatives using the semiconductor five-component strain TAKAHIRA,K., HAMADA,Y., MURASHIGE,A.: Development of
gauge balance, Proc. IMechE Part G: J. Aerospace Engineering, an automatic balance calibration machine for JAXA Wind Tunnel,
2012, 226(11), pp.1401-1411. In Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Strain-Gauge
[2] SAMARDŽIĆ,M., VUKOVIĆ,Đ., MARINKOVSKI,D.: Balances, Lucerne, Switzerland, 7-9 May, 2012, pp.1-10.
Experiments in VTI with semiconductor strain gauges on monoblock [15] PREUSSER,T., POLANSKY,L.: External 6-component wind tunnel
wind tunnel balances. In Proceedings of the 8th International balances for aerospace simulation facilities. In Proceedings of
Symposium on Strain-Gauge Balances, RUAG, Lucerne Instrumentation in Aerospace Simulation Facilities, ICASF 89,
Switzerland, 2012, pp. 1-8. Gottingen, Germany, 1989, pp.488-495.
[3] SAMARDŽIĆ,M., ANASTASIJEVIĆ,Z., MARINKOVSKI,D., [16] JINDEOG,C., BONGZOO,S., TAEHWAN,C.: Wind tunnel test of
ISAKOVIĆ,J.: Effects of the sting oscillation on the measurements MRP Model using external balance. KSAS International Journal,
of dynamic stability derivatives. Scientific Technical Review, ISSN 2000, Vol.1, No.2, pp.68-74.
1820-0206, 2010, Vol.60, No.2, pp.22-26. [17] NOOR,A.M., MANSORS,S.: Measuring aerodynamic
[4] ANASTASIJEVIĆ,Z., SAMARDŽIĆ,M., MARINKOVSKI,D.: characteristics using high performance low speed wind tunnel at
Application of semiconductor strain gauges in measurements of Universiti Taknologi Malaysia. J Appl Mech Eng, Vol.3:132, doi:
dynamic stability derivatives in the T-38 wind tunnel. In Proceedings 10.4172/2168-9873.1000132.
of the 26th International Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences, [18] MONKEWITZ,M., MÜLLER,J.: Measuring of long tuck models in
Anchorage, USA, 2008, pp.1-7. a wind tunnel with external balance. SAE Technical Paper 2008-01-
[5] VUKOVIĆ Đ., SAMARDŽIĆ,M., VITIĆ,A.: Prototype of a stiff 1202, 2008, doi: 10.4271/2008-01-1202
wind tunnel balance with semiconductor strain gauges and [19] REIS,M.L.C.C., CASTRO,R.M., MELLO,O.A.F.: Calibration
thermocompensation done by software. In Proceedings of the 26th uncertainty estimation of a strain gauge external balance.
International Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences, Anchorage, Measurement, 2013, Vol.46, No.1, pp.24-33.
USA, 2008, pp.1-8.
[20] ANASTASIJEVIĆ,Z., MARINKOVSKI,D., SAMARDŽIĆ,M.:
[6] VITIĆ,A., DAMLJANOVIĆ,D., VUKOVIĆ,Đ.: Analysis of bow External six-component strain gauge balance for subsonic wind
shock waves from a hemisphere-cone nose at Mach numbers from tunnel (in Serbian). In Proceedings of the 30th HIPNEF, Vrnjačka
1.5 to 4 in the T-38 Wind Tunnel of VTI, Scientific Technical Banja, 2006, pp.515-522.
Review, ISSN 1820-0206, 2013, Vol.63, No.4, pp.40-45.
[21] Tech Note TN-505-4. Strain Gauge Selection: Criteria, Procedures,
[7] Force and Moment Measurement. In Handbook of Experimental Recommendations. Vishay Micro-Measurements, USA, 2007.
Fluid Mechanics, edited by C.Tropea, A.L. Yarin & J.F.Foss. pp.49-64.
Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2007, pp. 563-616.
[22] Tech Note TN-502. Optimizing Strain Gauge Excitation. Vishay
[8] ANASTASIJEVIĆ,Z., SAMARDŽIĆ,M., MARINKOVSKI,D.: Micro-Measurements, USA, 2007. pp.11-17.
Strain gauges based electromechanical force transducers and their
application in wind tunnel tests, Scientific Technical Information, [23] GALWAY,R.D., BOWKER,A.J., ELLIS,F.A.: A comparison of
(KumNTI), ISSN 1820-3418, ISBN 86-81123-07-6, Military methods for calculation and use of strain gauge wind tunnel
Technical Institute, Belgrade, Serbia, 2004, Vol.38, No.8. balances. NAE, Aeronautical report No. LR-600. 1984.
[9] AIAA Standards. AIAA Recommended practice for calibration and [24] PARKER,P.A., MORTON,M., DRAPER,N., LINE,W.: A single-
use of internal strain-gauge balances with application to wind tunnel vector force calibration method featuring the modern design of
testing. AIAA-R-091-2003e, ISBN: 978-1-56347-646-4, Virginia, experiments. In Proceedings of the 39th AIAA Aerospace Sciences
2003. meeting and Exhibition, AIAA-2001-0170, Reno, Nevada, 2001,
pp.1-26.
[10] REIS,M.L.C.C., MELLO,O.A.F.,UYENO,S.: Calibration uncertainty of
an external six-component wind tunnel balance. In Proceedings of the [25] VUKOVIĆ,Đ.: Generalization of data reduction routines for model
33rd AIAA Fluid Dynamics Conference and Exhibit, AIAA-2003-3884, attitude, force and moment measurements in the wind tunnels of the
Orlando, Florida, 2003, pp.1-10. Aeronautical Institute Zarkovo. In Proceedings of the 26th Congress
of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, ICAS,
[11] REIS,M.L.C.C., CASTRO,R.M., FALCAO,J.B.P.F., BARBOSA,I.M., Bonn, 1996, pp.825-833.
MELLO,O.A.F.: Calibration uncertainty estimation for internal
aerodynamic balance. In Proceedings of the 12th IMEKO TCI&TC7 [26] VUKOVIĆ,Đ.: Alternativni način baždarenja aerovaga (An
Joint Symposium on Main Science & Measurement, Annecy, France, alternative method of calibration of wind tunnel balances, in
2008, pp.185-190. Serbian), In Proceedings of the Vazduhoplovstvo 95 Scientific
Technical Meeting, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Belgrade,
[12] VUKOVIĆ,Đ., SAMARDŽIĆ,M., MARINKOVSKI,D.: Upgrade of 1995.
the balance calibration system in VTI. In Proceedings of the 8th
International Symposium on Strain-Gauge Balances, Lucerne,
Switzerland, 7-9 May, 2012, pp.1-9. Received: 28.08.2014.

Spoljašnja šestokomponentna aerovaga za aerotunele malih brzina

U radu je prikazana spoljašnja šestokomponentna aerovaga projektovana i izrađena u Vojnotehničkom institutu u
Beogradu. Prikazana aerovaga spada u grupu spoljašnjih aerovaga sa platformom. Aerodinamičko opterećenje koje
deluje na model u radnom delu aerotunela prenosi se na na šest mernih ćelija. Prikazane su matematičke relacije između
aerodinamičkog opterećenja i sila izmerenih u mernim ćelijama. Sve merne ćelije su sa folijskim mernim trakama. U
radu su prikazani i rezultati etaloniranja aerovage. U toku etaloniranja opterećenja su unošena pomoću tegova.

Ključne reći: aerotunel, aerovaga sa mernim trakama, merna ćelija, etaloniranje.

46 SAMARDŽIĆ,M. etc.: EXTERNAL SIX-COMPONENT STRAIN GAUGE BALANCE FOR LOW SPEED WIND TUNNELS

Внешние аэровесы из шести компонентов для низкоскоростных

аэродинамических труб
В этой статье представлены внешние аэровесы из шести компонентнов, разработанные и изготовленные в
Военно-техническом институте в Белграде. Показаные аэровесы принадлежат группе внешних аэровесов с
платформой. Аэродинамические нагрузки, действующие на модель в испытательной секции аэродинамической
трубы должны быть переданы на шесть измерительных ячеек. Отображаются математические отношения
между аэродинамической нагрузкой и силами измеренными в измерительных ячейках. Все измерительные
ячейки имеют тензодатчики из фольги. В статье представлены и результаты калибровки аэровесов. Во время
калибровки нагрузки добавлены с использованием набора весов.

Ключевые слова: аэродинамическая труба, аэровесы с тензодатчиками, измерительные ячейки, калибровка.

Balance externe de soufflerie pour les souffleries de petites vitesses

Dans ce papier on a présenté la balance externe de soufflerie conçue et réalisée à l’Institut militaire technique à Belgrade.
La balance présentée appartient à la catégorie des balances externes à plateforme. La charge aérodynamique qui agit sur
le modèle dans la chambre d’essais de la soufflerie est transportée sur six cellules de mesurage. On a présenté les relations
mathématiques entre la charge aérodynamique et les forces mesurées dans les cellules de mesurage. Toutes les cellules de
mesurage sont munies des jauges à ruban en feuilles. Dans cet article on a donné aussi les résultats de l’étalonnage de la
balance de soufflerie. Pendant l’étalonnage les charges étaient introduites à l’aide des poids.

Mots clés: soufflerie, balance de soufflerie à jauges à ruban, cellule de mesurage, étalonnage.