ORCID Identifier(s)

0000-0001-8951-8452

Graduation Semester and Year

2019

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

First Advisor

Frank Lu

Abstract

This study investigates the feasibility of using continuous wave lasers and high-speed CMOS cameras together in 2D particle image velocimetry (PIV) which is a widely-used non-intrusive method in experimental aerodynamics. In order to validate the setup, laminar and turbulent boundary layers over a flat plate with elliptical leading edge are examined in a low-speed wind tunnel. Before the experiments, the suitability of the elliptical-nose flat plate is determined (i.e. pressure gradient over the surface and separation), and the free-stream conditions (flow velocity and test section turbulence) are measured. To strengthen the validation of the setup, numerical simulations are added to the results from the boundary layer theory. The experiments are conducted for two different flow speeds; 4 m/s and 17 m/s with corresponding Reynolds numbers of 72,000, 492,000 respectively. The planar PIV setup is designed following the common practice, and the problems are identifi ed based on the results. Suggestions to improve the setup and possible future work are discussed.

Keywords

Particle image velocimetry, CMOS camera, Continuous wave laser, Low-speed aerodynamics, Elliptica-nose flat plate

Disciplines

Aerospace Engineering | Engineering | Mechanical Engineering

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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