GRADUATE AERONAUTICAL LABORATORIES
California Institute of Technology
Division of Engineering and Applied Science
1200 E. California Boulevard, MS 105-50, Pasadena, CA 91125

Historical
AWT construction
Ten-Foot Tunnel

Lucas AWT

Testing Requirements

If you have tests you would like to run in the Lucas AWT, the test article must meet certain criteria.  Most importantly, the model must have strong connection points that will allow us to rigidly mount the model in the tunnel, and it must be strong enough to withstand aerodynamic forces encountered during the test.  The Lucas AWT does not do failure testing.  Currently, our only model support is a ground plane system with a six-component force balance and +/- 180 degree yaw table.  This system is primarily designed for ground vehicles, but can be adapted to other test models.  We may also be able to provide special model mounts if needed.

Typical auto model installation.

The following figures illustrate how models are mounted to the ground plane balance and give the mounting pattern dimensions.  Files are Adobe .pdfs which require the free Acrobat Viewer.  They are also available as AutoCad 2000 .dwg files, if you would like to incorporate them into your design.  Right-click to download.)

Typical axle stub attachment.  Threaded rod extends to force balance through clearance hole in sacrificial cover plate.

We can provide data files with real-time captured or time-averaged data from our force balance; if you wish to supply additional sensors, we can connect to our data acquisition system.  We can also perform flow visualization with a smoke injection wand at up to 40 mph, and tuft visualization at up to 160 mph.  In both cases, we can provide video (Hi-8) and digital and/or film still photography records of the flow.

If tests are proprietary in nature, the tunnel area can be locked, and staff are at liberty to sign confidentiality agreements if necessary.