This undergraduate research project implemented a novel test rig assembly into the Cal Poly Low Speed Wind Tunnel, similar to Georgia Tech's test rig, which was in part developed by Cal Poly Professor Dr. Nandeesh Hiremath during his education there. The primary purpose of this setup is to create a library of nondimensional and omnidirectional loading properties of test objects. It also has the potential to be used in far more applications. This measurement technique makes tests far quicker than using a more traditional mounting system.

The main hardware components are a load cell with six degrees of freedom (measures both forces and torques in all three Cartesian axis) and a stepper motor. The designed components were the driving shaft, coupler, mounting and adapter plates, and sections of 8020 aluminum. The shaft is coupled to the motor, which is mounted to the load cell. No component below the load cell touches anything except air so that the measurement face of the load cell only sees the transferred mass and aerodynamic loads. The stepper motor is mounted to the rest of the tunnel's frame as rigidly as possible using the 8020 sections. This test rig is entirely above the wind tunnel's test section so that only the thin shaft is protruding and minimally disturbing the flow (shown in attached photos).

Blended student Quintin Cockrell is currently implementing the software for this setup. His first test object is a cylindrical section of PVC, shown in one of the attached photos.

I completed everything from the hardware selection to the analysis and manufacturing of the test rig, but I would like to thank the Applied Experimental Fluids Research Group under Dr. Hiremath for their guidance and encouragement throughout the project. Additionally, I would like to thank Dr. Hiremath for providing me with an amazing learning opportunity to take advantage of.