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

Historical
AWWT construction
Ten-Foot Tunnel

GALCIT Lucas AWWT

(Please excuse us, the web page is currently under construction!)

The GALCIT Lucas AWWT is a new aerodynamic test facility at GALCIT.  Commissioned on 3 October 2002, it was built as a replacement for the Ten Foot Tunnel.  The Lucas AWWT uses adaptive wall technology in the test section to reduce and even eliminate the need for data corrections required in straight-wall tunnel tests.  While the tunnel is operating, pressure measurements are taken along the floor and ceiling of the test section; combined with the current displacement profiles, a one-step predictive algorithm determines the required wall contour for the current model configuration and adapts the walls to match.  The system effectively "tricks" the air into thinking it is in an infinite flowfield, rather than confined by the walls of the tunnel.

The Lucas AWWT is open for business, and is accepting requests for proposals. Please examine our test requirements, and contact us if you have any questions or would like to submit your test program.  The wind tunnel is also available as a filming location, and we can relay your interest to the appropriate campus office.

Videos of the upper wall in motion; 6" deflection, shifted cosine curve (mpeg, 5 MB each).
Interior view	Exterior view

We would like to thank the Lucas Foundation for both their support of this facility and their participation in the dedication and commissioning ceremonies.