Diseño y construcción de un túnel hidrodinámico para el laboratorio de aerodinámica de la carrera de Ingeniería Automotriz

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the forces acting on a geometric body inside a conduit where a fluid flows with a laminar flow. This leads to design and build a hydrodynamic tunnel to perform the measurement tests, so that the main motivation was to create the first hydrodynamic tunnel to be located in the aerodynamics laboratory of the School of Automotive Engineering at ESPOCH. To begin with, the first step in this research was to make accurate calculations to the design, selection of materials, and construction of each of the sections that make up the hydrodynamic tunnel. Having designed and constructed the hydrodynamic tunnel, the necessary tests were performed to verify that the operation is correct. The hydrodynamic tunnel is useful to collect the different results of force measurement, depending on the model or shape of each of the geometric bodies used to perform the tests, as well as this, enables to gather the required values and draw conclusions about the tests performed. The design and construction of the hydrodynamic tunnel makes possible to get a didactic tool of great value for the students of the School of Automotive Engineering and, the students that need to know about this type of forces, and thus, they can complement their knowledge regarding to this type of practices. It is also recommended to check the user manual before carrying out any of the tests in the hydrodynamic tunnel to find out how to operate it and handle it appropriately in order to get the best results as well as to extend the lifespan of the equipment.