Automation and New Capabilities in the University of Florida NHERI Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel
Automation and New Capabilities in the University of Florida NHERI Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel
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DOI：
10.3389/fbuil.2020.558151
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发表时间：
2020-09-16
影响因子：
3
通讯作者：
Prevatt, David O.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Catarelli, Ryan A.;Fernandez-Caban, Pedro L.;Prevatt, David O.
佛罗里达大学的自然灾害工程研究基础设施（NHERI）实验设施提供了一套多样化的实验资源来支持风灾研究。40米长的边界层风洞（BLWT）模拟边界层流动，以表征刚性结构模型上的风荷载，并评估气动弹性结构的响应。实验自动化工具的使用为研究人员的测试配置提供了无与伦比的灵活性，同时支持高通量测试和数据收集。Terraformer是一个由1116个粗糙度元素组成的阵列，可以在不到90秒的时间内快速重新配置以生成地形条件，测试部分转台可以自动移动通过一系列风接近角度，仪器机架可以遍历预设路径以收集隧道横截面中任何地方的风场测量结果。这些测试自动化工具，沿着机电结构模型和实时数据传输和处理，为实验风洞测试提供了新的机会。最近的网络物理风洞测试项目突出了这些实验自动化工具的好处。本文还将讨论最近加入BLWT，流场调制器（FFM）。它由319个单独控制的管道风扇组成的2D阵列，由电子速度控制器驱动。FFM通过支持非单调剖面和非平稳事件（如阵风锋和下击暴流，其中平均速度和湍流分布在短空间尺度上发生变化）的模拟，扩展了BLWT的能力。在风洞中模拟这些流动条件的能力使得能够研究各种破坏条件以及减轻其对结构影响的解决方案。
The Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) experimental facility at the University of Florida provides a diverse suite of experimental resources to support wind hazard research. The 40-m long Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel (BLWT) simulates boundary layer flows to characterize wind loading on rigid structural models and assess the response of aeroelastic structures. The use of experimental automation tools provides researchers unparalleled flexibility in their test configurations while supporting high throughput testing and data collection. The Terraformer, an array of 1116 roughness elements, can be rapidly reconfigured to generate terrain conditions in less than 90 s, the test section turntable can move automatically through a range of wind approach angles, and the instrumentation gantry can traverse preset paths to collect wind field measurements anywhere in the tunnel cross-section. These test automation tools, along with mechatronic structural models and real-time data transfer and processing, provide new opportunities in experimental wind tunnel testing. Recent cyber-physical wind tunnel testing projects highlight the benefits of these experimental automation tools. This paper will also discuss the most recent addition to the BLWT, the Flow Field Modulator (FFM). It consists of a 2D array of 319 individually controlled ducted fans driven by electronic speed controllers. The FFM expands the BLWT capabilities by supporting the simulation of non-monotonic profiles and non-stationary events such as gust fronts and downbursts, where mean velocity and turbulence distributions change over short spatial scales. The ability to simulate these flow conditions in a wind tunnel enables the investigation of a wide range of damaging conditions and the solutions for mitigating their impact on structures.