Testing three-dimensional bluff-body models in a low-speed two-dimensional adaptive wall test section

Thin, sharp-edged disk models were evaluated in a low-speed two-dimensional adaptive flexible wall test section to determine the optimum adaptive wall testing environment for three-dimensional bluff-body models, by providing model testing recommendations for nominal solid blockage ratio and model span ratio. Drag coefficient measurements obtained under straight wall and adapted wall conditions showed that for a two-dimensional adaptive wall test section, the model span ratio imposes a more severe restriction upon model size than does the nominal solid blockage ratio. Minimum wall interference conditions were achieved with adapted walls for nominal solid blockage ratios less than 3 percent and model span ratios less than 21 percent, independent of the nominal test section aspect ratio, based on favorable comparison with previously-published experimental data. Data obtained under straight wall conditions confirmed that wall interference effects can only be neglected in conventional, straight-walled test sections for solid blockage ratios less than 0.5 percent and model span ratios less than 10 percent. The post-test boundary correction method of Maskell was successfully used to adjust the straight wall test section drag coefficient measurements of the larger models for wall interference effects, bur no direct measurements of wall interference are used with this method. The results support the careful use of a two-dimensional wall adjustment strategy for three-dimensional nonlifting flows.