Big Wind Tunnel Nearly Ready

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31248, 21 December 1966, Page 22

Big Wind Tunnel Nearly Ready

The big wind tunnel in the mechanical engineering department of the University of Canterbury—the first of its type and size in this country—is being commissioned after preparations for almost 12 years.

Initial tests indicate that it will serve wide research interests, and already there have been requests for private work to be done on contract.

Dr. D. C. Stevenson, then senior lecturer in mechanical engineering, completed the aerodynamic design in 1954 and the structural design in 1960. The huge plant was built between 1962 and 1965. Dr. Stevenson has since moved to Monash University, Melbourne, but has returned to calibrate the instrumentation, which may take two months. Mr A. Papesch, lecturer in mechanical engineering, has taken charge of the tunnel. The “working section” of the tunnel (where models are

placed) is 4ft wide and 3ft high. Through this winds up to 120 miles an hour are forced by a fan 7ft wide. The tunnel is 60ft long, but, as it is a “return circuit” (looped), the effective length is double that, Already the tunnel has tested the design of a railway bridge proposed for the North Island. Scale-model trains and rail-cars were mounted on a scale-model bridge and wind increased until the vehicles toppled. The bridge design will be modified with wind baffles.

The greatest use of the tunnel will be made by univer-

sity staff and students working on basic fluid mechanics, but it will have such practical applications as testing the wind loading which can be withstood by buildings, chimneys, and other structures. One project is to find the best design to prevent roofs being ripped off high-country shearing sheds in gales. The tunnel will also test aircraft components and controls, and complete model aircraft. Several private glider designers want to have their theories tested, and a topdressing firm wants to experiment with the spread of fertiliser.

University staff will be working on the wind tunnel throughout the summer vacation. Arrangements may be made to accept work on contract. Dr. Stevenson said he had more than a paternal interest. Monash University has not got a wind tunnel and he hopes to learn from the Canterbury design.

In the photograph, the fan is at bottom left Wind passes to the right at floor level, then up and back along the upper section. Models are placed In the chamber at the top of the stairs.