Uncertainty in airflow field parameters in a study of shock waves on flat plate in transonic wind tunnel

Abstract

When flat plates are submitted to wind tunnel tests and the upstream Mach number is greater than 1.0 this gives rise to shock and expansion waves. This study experimentally evaluates the airflow field parameters ahead of and behind the shock region and compares the data obtained in the tests with the expected theoretical results. For the case of expansion waves only theoretical values are supplied in this preliminary part of the study. The drag and lift forces acting on the model being tested are also estimated from the pressure values measured on the plate surface. Data reduction includes evaluation of the uncertainties associated with the measured quantities, as well as their propagation to the output quantities, employing the Monte Carlo method. Numerical simulation of the phenomena using Computational Fluid Dynamics is also done. Data obtained analytically, experimentally and numerically are compared. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.