As pontes são importantes elementos no desenvolvimento da infraestrutura de uma nação, possibilitando conexões de pessoas e bens. A ação do vento em pontes é um dos fatores determinantes no seu projeto. O efeito da ação do vento em tabuleiros de pontes pode, no limite, levar uma estrutura ao colapso. São inúmeras as formas das seções transversais que os tabuleiros podem apresentar; para cada uma delas os coeficientes de pressão são diferentes. Na Norma Brasileira de pontes (NBR 7187, 2003), a carga de vento é indicada no item 7.2.3 como uma ação variável que deve ser calculada de acordo com a Norma Brasileira de vento (NBR 6123, 1988). Entretanto, nesta não há considerações em relação à ação do vento em tabuleiros de pontes. Ou seja, em nossas normas há uma lacuna que precisa ser preenchida. Faltam informações, as quais são imprescindíveis para a elaboração de projetos e resolução de problemas existentes. Atualmente, a realização de ensaios em túnel de vento é a melhor forma de estimar a resposta de pontes sob a ação do vento. Esta pesquisa visa a aprimorar a fase de projeto de pontes através da sugestão, para complementação da Norma Brasileira de ventos NBR6123/88, de um item específico referente a coeficientes aerodinâmicos de distintas seções transversais de tabuleiros de pontes. Foram realizados ensaios em túnel de vento no Laboratório de Aerodinâmica das Construções da UFRGS (Porto Alegre, BR) de cinco seções transversais de tabuleiros de pontes. Os dados obtidos foram comparados com os de seções ensaiadas previamente. Os resultados são apresentados em termos de coeficientes de arrasto, sustentação e torção. Conclui-se que a geração dos novos resultados, bem como a disponibilização de dados específicos para diferentes formas de tabuleiros de pontes, contribuirá para a execução de projetos de estruturas de pontes mais otimizados. / Bridges are important elements on the development of a nation, allowing connections between people and goods. The wind action on bridges is one of the determine factors in bridge design. The wind action effect on bridge decks could take a bridge to its collapse. A bridge deck can have numerous shapes: for each one of them the aerodynamic coefficients are unique. In the Brazilian bridge code(NBR 7187, 2003), item 7.2.3, the wind load is presented as a variable action that must be evaluated accordingly to the Brazilian wind code(NBR 6123, 1988). Nevertheless, in the latter there isn’t any consideration regarding to the wind action on bridge decks. Hence, in our codes there is a gap that needs to be filled. There is some information missing, which is essential to the development of bridges design and to solve existing problems. Nowadays, producing experiments on wind tunnels is the best way to estimate the response of bridges submitted to wind actions. This research aims the improvement of bridge design with a suggestion of an introduction of a new item into the Brazilian wind code, specifically related to aerodynamic coefficients for distinct cross sections of bridge decks. Five different cross sections were tested on the wind tunnel at the Laboratório de Aerodinâmica das Construções of UFRGS (Porto Alegre, RS). The data acquired was compared to data obtained from previous experiments of different cross sections. The results are presented as drag, lift and torsion coefficients. In conclusion, the increase of data as well as the availability of data from different shapes of bridge decks will contribute to improved bridge design.

Neste trabalho buscou-se consolidar aspectos referentes à otimização de problemas envolvidos na mecânica dos meios contínuos, envolvendo diferentes áreas do conhecimento, tais como: otimização matemática, diferenciação automática, análise estrutural, análise aerodinâmica, parametrização de curvas, superfícies e sólidos do tipo B-spline racionais não-uniformes (NURBS, acrônimo do inglês), análise IsoGeométrica (IGA, acrônimo do inglês) e análise por Elementos Finitos (FEA, acrônimo do inglês). Como objetivo final busca-se otimizar formas de cascas estruturais e formas de corpos aerodinâmicos imersos em escoamentos compressíveis. No que concerne à análise estrutural, esta é realizada via análise IsoGeométrica utilizando elementos sólidos para modelar cascas. Uma cinemática co-rotacional abrangente e precisa baseada na exata decomposição polar é desenvolvida, para lidar com problemas estáticos e dinâmicos altamente não lineares. Na análise estática foram implementados o método de Newton-Raphson e controle de deslocamentos generalizado, para problemas dinâmicos foram implementados o método -generalizado (G) e o método energia momento generalizado (GEMM+). A análise aerodinâmica é realizada via análise por Elementos Finitos para modelar escoamentos compressíveis viscosos e não viscosos em regimes transônicos e supersônicos. Um esquema característico baseado na separação da equação de momento (CBS, acrônimo do inglês) é utilizado para obter uma adequada integração temporal. No que concerne à otimização matemática, é utilizado um método baseado em gradientes, conhecido por programação quadrática sequencial (SQP, acrônimo do inglês), onde a avaliação as derivadas de Fréchet são levadas a cabo via diferenciação automática (AD, acrônimo do inglês). No que concerne aos resultados finais é realizada a otimização estrutural de forma de cascas modeladas como sólidos são apresentados, evidenciando um desempenho ótimo com respeito à energia de deformação interna. Os resultados de otimização aerodinâmica bidimensionais apresentam perfis aerodinâmicos ótimos com respeito à relação arrasto/sustentação para uma ampla gama de número de Mach, enquanto um resultado tridimensional é apresentado evidenciando a robustez e eficiência da implementação proposta. Pretendese estabelecer com este trabalho as bases para pesquisas em problemas de otimização aeroelástica. / Consolidation of the link among optimization problems in continuum mechanics, involving different fields, such as mathematical optimization, automatic differentiation, structural analysis, aerodynamic analysis, curves, surfaces and solids parameterization using Non Uniform Rational B-spline (NURBS), IsoGeometric Analysis (IGA), Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is looked for. Structural shape optimization of shell structures and aerodynamic shape optimization of immersed bodies in compressible flows are the main goals of this work. Concerning structural analysis, the so-called IsoGeometric analysis is employed. An accurate and comprehensive corotational kinematic based on the exact polar decomposition is developed in order to study highly nonlinear static and dynamic problems. Static analysis is carried out with Newton-Raphson and Generalized Displacement Control Method, while dynamic analysis is carried out with Generalized- (G) and Generalized Energy-Momentum Method (GEMM+). Aerodynamic analysis is carried out via Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in order to solve compressible flows in transonic and supersonic regimes. A Characteristic Based Split (CBS) method is employed to obtain an accurate time integration, which is based on the splitting of the momentum equation. Concerning mathematical optimization, the so-called Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) is employed, which is a gradient-based method, where the Fréchet derivatives are evaluated using Automatic Differentiation (AD). Final results consisting in structural optimization shown an optimal behaviour with respect to internal strain energy. While, results concerning aerodynamic bi-dimensional shape optimization exhibit a optimal behaviour with respect drag/lift ratio, for a large range of Mach number, and a simple result for tri-dimensional case is presented in order to show the efficiency and robustness of the implementation. Bases for future research in aeroelastic optimization problems are established in this work.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-12-12T15:55:02Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação de mestrado - Análise dinâmica de torres para telecomunicações (Revisão Definitiva).pdf: 5572516 bytes, checksum: 3aeb29a09ea2819f49316a79c5388a73 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-12T15:55:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação de mestrado - Análise dinâmica de torres para telecomunicações (Revisão Definitiva).pdf: 5572516 bytes, checksum: 3aeb29a09ea2819f49316a79c5388a73 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-11 / Na última década, o crescimento da telefonia celular no Brasil venceu os limites das grandes capitais, levando a rede a cobrir municípios antes desprovidos de tal tecnologia. A transmissão do sinal pode ocorrer de diversas formas, mas, de fato, a mais comumente utilizada é por meio de antenas sustentadas por torres metálicas. Na prática, as antenas são instaladas em qualquer momento após a montagem da torre, mesmo anos após sua construção, sem qualquer verificação estrutural e, por vezes, excedendo a capacidade de carga nominal. Além disso, na maioria dos casos, não são levados em conta certos cuidados com relação ao posicionamento de suportes e das próprias antenas. Portanto, é comum encontrarmos antenas instaladas de forma inadequada, sendo colocadas fora da silhueta da torre. Este posicionamento, aliado com a ação dinâmica ocasionada pelo vento, pode trazer problemas graves à estrutura. Neste trabalho, são apresentados dois casos reais de torres metálicas que sofreram danos estruturais devido ao problema em questão. Este trabalho tem como principal objetivo apresentar uma solução de amortecimento para as vibrações causadas pelo vento em antenas para telecomunicações. A proposta visa utilizar elastômeros, como o Neoprene, entre a cantoneira do montante e as abraçadeiras dos suportes, reduzindo assim o período de vibração e, consequentemente, os efeitos da fadiga. / In the last decade, the growth of mobile telephony in Brazil won the boundaries of the great capitals, leading the network to cover cities before devoid of such technology. The signal transmission can occur in various ways, but, in fact, the most commonly used is through antennas supported by steel towers. In practice, the antennas are installed at any time after assembly of the tower, even years after its construction, without any structural verification and sometimes exceeding the rated load capacity. Moreover, in most cases, care is not taken into account in relation to the positioning brackets and their antennas. Therefore, it is common to find antennas installed improperly, being placed outside the tower silhouette. This positioning, combined with dynamic action brought by the wind, can bring serious problems to the structure. In this work, we present two real cases of metal towers that have suffered structural damage due to the problem at hand. The objective of this work is to present a solution for damping the vibrations caused by the wind in telecommunications antennas. The proposal to use elastomers, such as neoprene, between the bracket and the tower column, thus reducing the vibration period and, consequently, the effects of fatigue.

Cette thèse est dédiée à l’étude des caractéristiques phonétiques de la voix et de la parole après cordectomie laser de type II-III, proposées pour des tumeurs laryngées limitées à un seul pli vocal. Les cordectomies de type IIIII consistent en la résection de l’épithélium, du ligament vocal, de la lamina propria et d’une partie variable du muscle vocal. La nouvelle configuration anatomico-physiologique engendre un accolement des plis vocaux moins efficace et une asymétrie vibratoire, impliquant des perturbations en fréquence et en amplitude du fondamental ainsi qu’une possible altération du trait de voisement. Il s’agit d’une étude prospective de 10 patients masculins et francophones âgés de 47 à 80 ans. Les sujets ont été enregistrés entre 6 mois et 1 an postopératoire. Une population saine de 10 témoins masculins, âgés de 34 à 67 ans nous a servi de référence. Le premier chapitre est un rappel anatomique et biomécanique de la phonation. Il permet de mieux comprendre et appréhender les mécanismes de production de la voix et de la parole. Le second chapitre présente succinctement les chirurgies partielles du larynx. Il nous permet de déterminer, en particulier, les conséquences d’apparition et de pratique des cordectomies laser. Le troisième chapitre est une description des différentes cordectomies laser. Nous présentons également une revue de la littérature qui met en évidence les résultats fonctionnels après ces chirurgies, mais surtout qui insiste sur la dimension multiparamétrique des approches scientifiques. Le quatrième chapitre est une description détaillée de nos populations étudiées, des corpus et des matériels utilisés pour nos différentes études. Le cinquième chapitre comprend quatre études qui montrent l’impact de la chirurgie sur les paramètres de la F0, de l’intensité sonore et de leurs indices de perturbation (jitter et shimmer). Les plages de variation de F0 des sujets y sont analysées. Enfin, le dernier chapitre est consacré à l’ implémentation du trait de voisement. Celui-ci se compose de quatre études (acoustique, aérodynamique, EGG et perceptive) qui nous permettent d’étudier la réalisation du contraste de voisement des occlusives après ces cordectomies. / This thesis concerns the study of the phonetic characteristics of the voice and speech after laser cordectomy of types II-III, proposed for laryngeal tumors limited to the vocal fold. Cordectomies of types II-III consist of resection of the epithelium, vocal ligament, lamina propria and a variable part of the vocal muscle. This new anatomicophysiological configuration creates an apposition of the vocal folds less effective and a vibratory asymetry, which involve perturbations in frequency and amplitude and a possible alteration of the voicing. This is a prospective study of 10 male French patients aged 47-80 years. The subjects were recorded between 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. A healthy population of 10 males, aged 34-67 years was the control group. The first chapter is a anatomical and biomechanical reminder of the phonation. It provides a better understand of the mechanisms of voice production and speech. The second chapter is a brief presentation of partial laryngeal surgeries. It allows us to determine, in particular, the emergence of laser cordectomies. The third chapter is a description of the different laser cordectomies. We also present a review of the literature which shows the functional results after these surgeries, but also emphasizes on the multiparamétric dimension of the scientific approaches. The fourth chapter is a detailed description of the populations studied, the corpus and the materials used for our various studies. The fifth chapter includes four studies which show the impact of surgery on the parameters of the F0, loudness and their perturbation factors (jitter and shimmer). The ranges of variation of F0 of the subjects will be analyzed. The last chapter is devoted to the implementation of the voicing feature. It consists of four studies (acoustic, aerodynamic, EGG and perceptual) which will allow us to observe the preservation of voicing contrast of plosives after these cordectomies.

This work proposes to address the computation of flow-generated noise, including the high frequency components in an acceptable computational time, relative to industrial applications. In this framework, hybrid methods based on aeroacoustic analogies are relevant to predict the corresponding sound, in term of computational time and easy implementation, and are separating the sources of sound computation from the sound propagation itself. Both parts of the hybrid method are then investigated.<p><p>Firstly, the sources of sound should be computed accurately, reproducing most of the energy content of the turbulent flow. The present study is mainly based on LES computations, that are a good compromise between the accuracy and the time required to obtain the sources, especially for low Mach number application, where incompressible flow computations can be used. The influence of the computational parameters is then studied through the investigation of the influence of the boundary conditions, flow solver, mesh refinement, LES subgrid-scale model and computational domain definition. <p><p>Secondly, the sound sources propagation is computed using classical analogies based most of the time on free field Green's functions. They are limited to the low frequency range of the emitted sound spectrum, where the source is compact, if incompressible acoustic sources are used. They are then proposed to be combined with Amiet's theory for airfoil noise to cover the remaining high frequency part of the sound spectrum. The limitations of Amiet's theory are analysed through the geometrical and acoustical far-field assumptions. Furthermore, an inverse strip method is proposed to extend Amiet's theory to spanwise varying flow conditions and taking correctly into account the spanwise wave number effects. <p><p>The leading-edge noise mechanism is studied through the interaction of the turbulent region of a jet with a NACA0012 airfoil. The hybrid method, consisting in an incompressible LES computation combined with Curle's analogy, showed its limitation to the low frequency range of the sound spectrum when low-order CFD are used. The Amiet's theory, based on the modelisation of the upstream velocity spectrum, provides a good sound prediction at high frequency, as far as the airfoil thickness is accounted for. <p><p>The Trailing-edge noise mechanism is studied through the flow around a mid-span cut of a blade (CD airfoil) of an automotive cooling fan. <p>Three different acoustic methods are used :Curle's analogy is using wall-pressure fluctuations over the airfoil surface, Ffowcs-Williams and Hall's analogy is using volumetric velocity informations around the trailing-edge and Amiet's theory for trailing-edge noise is using the wall-pressure spectrum around the trailing-edge and the corresponding spanwise correlation. The methods using wall-pressure informations are shown to directly transfer the informations of the wall-pressure spectrum to the sound spectrum. Differences are appearing in the higher frequency range where the airfoil starts to be non compact, invalidating the use of Curle's analogy at such frequencies compared to the other methods, taking scattering effects into account implicitly in their formulations. <p><p>Finally, in order to reduce the computational cost, Amiet's theory for trailing-edge noise is proposed to be driven from steady RANS computations. Two methods to compute the wall-pressure spectrum from boundary-layer informations are studied. Their respective robustness and reliability are analysed in an uncertainty quantification framework, in case of varying velocity profiles upstream the airfoil. Both models showed similar results and tendency compared to the wall-pressure LES spectrum, as far as the flow topology remains similar. / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Les diaphragmes utilisés comme organes de perte de charge à l'intérieur des tuyauteries de centrales électriques ont été mis en cause dans la création de sifflement. Les conséquences de ces phénomènes sont des niveaux de bruit et de vibration pouvant dépasser les valeurs admissibles. L'objectif de la thèse est d'étudier le sifflement sur la base d'expérimentations et de calculs numériques afin de proposer des outils de compréhension et de prédiction. Un résultat de la thèse correspond à l’identification expérimentale et numérique des conditions d’amplification acoustique au niveau de diaphragmes, phénomène nécessaire au sifflement. Les expériences montrent que les plages de sifflement, exprimées sous la forme d’un nombre de Strouhal fonction de l’épaisseur du diaphragme et de la vitesse dans l’orifice, s’étendent de 0,2 à 0,4 et de 0,7 à 0,9 et sont indépendantes du nombre de Reynolds. Le potentiel de sifflement de diaphragmes est également caractérisé à l’aide de simulations numériques. Deux approches sont utilisées avec des calculs U-RANS incompressibles et des simulations LES compressibles. Il apparaît que la simulation numérique permet de reproduire l’effet d’amplification acoustique à l’origine du sifflement, pour des pas de discrétisation spatial au coin amont de l’orifice suffisamment petit. Un autre résultat de la thèse est la définition des paramètres contrôlant les caractéristiques du sifflement en présence de réflexions acoustiques. Une analyse de stabilité linéaire prédit l’apparition d’un sifflement et sa fréquence. L’amplitude de sifflement est maximum pour un nombre de Strouhal autour de 0,25 et augmente avec le taux de réflexion autour du diaphragme. / Orifices used as pressure drop devices in pipes of power plants can cause tonal noise. The consequences of whistling are noise and vibration levels higher than what is acceptable. The purpose of the present works is to study the whistling phenomenon with experiments and numeric in order to propose comprehension and prediction tools. One of the results of the study is the experimental and numerical identification of the acoustic amplification conditions at the orifice, which is a necessary phenomenon for whistling. The experiments show that the whistling ranges, expressed in a Strouhal number function of the orifice thickness and the flow velocity inside the orifice, lie between 0.2 and 0.4 and between 0.7 and 0.9 and that they are independent of the Reynolds number. The whistling ability of orifices has also been defined with numerical simulations. Two approaches are used, the first consisting of incompressible U-RANS calculations, the second based on compressible LES. The numerical simulations are able to capture the acoustic amplification at the orifice, for a spatial discretization small enough at the upstream edge of the orifice. Another result of the study is the definition of the parameters controlling the whistling features when acoustic reflections are present. A linear stability analysis is able to predict the whistling frequency, and it is shown that the whistling amplitude is maximum at a Strouhal number of 0.25 and that it increases with the global reflection surrounding the orifice.

Neste trabalho, são inicialmente discutidas as dificuldades referentes à obtenção de resultados numéricos para a operação de uma turbina Savonius independentes do grau de discretização, tamanho de domínio de cálculo e de máximo tempo físico simulado. Também são relatadas as divergências entre as metodologias numéricas e experimentais adotadas por diversos autores, que dificultam análises e comparações dos resultados obtidos por meio dessas metodologias com os resultados próprios obtidos. Devido a esses fatos, no presente trabalho, uma série de procedimentos experimentais e numéricos são realizados para efetuar análises do escoamento sobre uma turbina eólica Savonius. Nos experimentos em canal aerodinâmico, perfis de velocidade e parâmetros da turbulência são obtidos pela técnica de anemometria de fio quente. Medições com o uso de tubos de Pitot e manômetros eletrônicos são efetuadas para avaliar a variação da pressão e os perfis de velocidade média em posições selecionadas. Além de dados para análise, informações úteis para uso como condições de contorno nas simulações numéricas também são obtidas. Os fenômenos são reproduzidos através de simulações numéricas pelo Método de Volumes Finitos, que solucionam as equações da continuidade, de Navier-Stokes com médias de Reynolds e do modelo de turbulência k-ω SST. Análises experimentais e numéricas considerando o escoamento sobre um cilindro, que mantém semelhanças com o escoamento sobre o rotor, também são realizadas. Simulações numéricas do escoamento sobre o cilindro são efetuadas, fornecendo resultados representativos do escoamento real, quando geometrias tridimensionais são aplicadas na modelagem numérica. Nas simulações do escoamento sobre o rotor Savonius em condição estática, resultados representativos do escoamento real são obtidos com o uso de uma modelagem que leva em consideração a rugosidade das pás do rotor, estacionado na posição angular de 90°. Para posições angulares menores, não se obteve uma boa concordância entre os resultados experimentais e numéricos. A realização deste trabalho fornece informações úteis para a análise do fenômeno e tem potencial para contribuir com futuros trabalhos desse tema. / This research work initially presents a discussion about the difficulties related to obtaining numerical results for the operation of a turbine Savonius independent of the degree of discretization, calculation domain size and maximum physical time of the simulation. The differences between the numerical and experimental methodologies adopted by various authors difficult the analysis and comparisons of the results obtained through these methods with the results obtained by the methodology. Due to these facts, in this research work, a series of experimental and numerical procedures are performed to conduct analyzes of flow over a Savonius wind turbine. In the experiments on aerodynamic channel, velocity and turbulence profiles parameters are obtained by the technique of hot wire anemometry. Measurements using Pitot tubes and electronic manometers are made to evaluate the variation of pressure and mean velocity profiles at selected positions. In addition to data analysis, useful information for use as boundary conditions in the numerical simulations are also obtained. The phenomena are reproduced through numerical simulations by Finite Volume Method, that solve the equations of continuity, Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations and the equation of the turbulence model k-ω SST. Experimental and numerical analyzes considering the flow over a cylinder, which holds similarities with the flow over the rotor, are also performed. Numerical simulations of the flow over the cylinder are made, providing results representative of the actual flow when three-dimensional geometries are applied in numerical modeling. In flow simulations over the Savonius rotor in static condition, at 90°, representative results of the actual flow are obtained using a model that takes into account the roughness of the rotor blades. For smaller angular positions a good agreement between experimental and numerical results was not obtained. This work provides useful information for the analysis of the phenomenon and has the potential to contribute to future work on this theme.

Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy technologies, and horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) have been the most common device to convert wind kinetic energy into electrical energy. As the capacities of wind turbines and scales of wind farm constructions are rapidly increasing over time, environmental impacts of wind energy are becoming more relevant and raising more attention than ever before. One of the major environmental concerns is noise emission from wind energy facilities, especially low-frequency noise and infrasound that allegedly cause so-called wind turbine syndrome. Therefore, a numerical simulation program capable to predict low-frequency noise and infrasound emission from wind turbines is a useful tool to aid future wind energy development. In this study of this thesis, a computer program named TDRIP (Time Domain Rotor Infrasound Prediction) is developed based on acoustic analogy theories. Farassat’s formulation 1A, a solution to Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings (FW-H) equation, is implemented in the TDRIP program to compute aerodynamically generated sound. The advantage of this program is its capability to simultaneously compute infrasound emission of multiple wind turbines in time domain, which is a challenging task for other aerodynamic noise prediction methods. The developed program is validated against results obtained from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The program is then used to compute aerodynamic noise emitted from wind turbine rotors. The effects of wind direction, wind turbine siting, and phase of wind turbine rotation on consequent aerodynamic noise are investigated. Results of aerodynamic noise computation imply that wind turbine siting configuration or wind turbine phase adjustment can help reducing noise level at certain locations, which make the program ideal to be integrated into wind farm siting or control tools.

Historically, the endeavor of scale testing flight vehicles at supersonic Mach numbers, especially for long durations, has required the development of closed-loop wind tunnels, which are extremely expensive both to build and operate due to the high complexity and incredible power required to drive such a system. The intermittent blowdown wind tunnel, indraft tunnel, and shock tunnel have alleviated many of these cost requirements to some degree, whilst facilitating testing at very high Mach numbers and enthalpies; however, these systems require the handling of gases at pressures and temperatures that can be prohibitive for many university settings. The Ludwieg tube provides a simple, elegant method for producing testable supersonic flows at price points significantly lower than the aforementioned test-system architectures. Unfortunately, the spacial footprint and moderate cost required for driver tube and nozzle hardware can make it difficult to implement for many non-research universities. In this thesis, a new supersonic test system architecture is conceived, designed, implemented, and validated for the purpose of making supersonic aerodynamic testing capability attainable for most universities, by combining properties of the Ludwieg Tube and indraft wind tunnel to reduce the cost needed to produce this capability. This system, the Indraft Tube Tunnel, requires no long driver-tube or test-section hardware, aside from a vacuum chamber. Furthermore, it is safe to operate, as high pressure containment systems are not required for the Indraft Tube Tunnel System. It is designed and operated to draw stagnant atmospheric air through a converging-diverging nozzle to achieve a steady-state Mach number of 2.5. Sufficient pressure ratio to reach the desired Mach number is attained by evacuating the vacuum chamber and placing a thin cellophane diaphragm across the inlet of the nozzle, thus separating the vacuum section from ambient atmosphere. To initiate gas flow, the diaphragm is mechanically burst with a puncture device. This design requires much less hardware to implement than a typical Ludwieg tube, and had an operating cost of less than one dollar per test. Using this method, steady, uninterrupted Mach 2.44 is attained for a duration of 13.6 ms and a test section diameter of 7 inches. The standard deviation of the Mach number measurements is .08 Mach. A shadowgraph imaging setup is used to view and measure the angle of oblique shockwaves on a simple wedge test-model. The Indraft Tube Tunnel is novel in the field of high-speed aerodynamic testing, and may be implemented by other universities to produce supersonic flows with a relatively small investment in hardware and laboratory space.

This thesis relates to a conceptual design of a light aircraft considering its easy manufacturability in non-professional workshop, for example at home. It is divided into three main parts. At the beginning there is mentioned a summary of existing light airplanes which determines the conceptual frame of the designed aircraft. The next part describes more detailed draft of different functional units, taking into consideration the constructional and manufacturing issues. The final part then contains basic equations to verify and define the most important characteristics of the designed aircraft.