Integration of numerical and experimental wind tunnels (IofNEWT)

Abstract

Nearly two decades ago, predictions were made that the computer would replace the wind tunnel. While the prediction has not come true, the dependence on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in the aircraft design process has increased dramatically. IofNEWT combines the two methodologies, wind tunnels and computations, together with experimental instrumentation, supercomputers, scientific visualization, networking, remote communications and expert systems to create a real-time aerodynamic development environment. The resulting synergy produces a capability for providing increased data and its subsequent conversion to understanding and knowledge of aerodynamic phenomena, as well as changing the paradigm for wind-tunnel testing. A sub-element of IofNEWT is the Remote Access Wind Tunnel (RAWT) which allows real-time access and interaction with the wind tunnel and supercomputing facilities from the remote user sites. The presentation addresses the evolution of the IofNEWT program, including RAWT, and implementations accomplished thus far. During two 1994 wind-tunnel tests, experimental results were combined in real-time with numerical simulation data of the wind-tunnel configurations, including complex facility effects. The results were presented simultaneously to on-site and off-site users, with off-site interaction capabilities.