Experiments on 2D rectangular prisms at high Reynolds numbers in a pressurised wind tunnel

Experiments on rectangular prisms with fineness ratio (width-to-depth ratio) of 2, 3 and 4 are reported in this paper. The tests were performed in the 2D test section of a pressurised wind tunnel in smooth and turbulent flow for Reynolds numbers ranging from 0.15 x 10(6) to 4 x 10(6), for Mach numbers not exceeding 0.30. Steady and unsteady measurements of surface pressures on a chord-wise strip as well as overall lift, drag and pitching moment on the model were carried out. Flow fluctuations in the wake were also captured with a hot-film probe. The experiments helped define the influences of Reynolds number, after-body length, angle of wind incidence and approaching flow turbulence on the aerodynamics of rectangular prisms. The influence of the edge treatment of the rectangular prisms, i.e. square edges versus small or large chamfer, was also studied at high Reynolds numbers. The paper presents a detailed description of the experiments and an overview of the effects of Reynolds number, Mach number and flow turbulence observed in the study. Crown Copyright (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.