In this master thesis project the initial steps for the design of a new wind tunnel
for aeroacoustic measurements are made. Well-documented sizing methods for
different wind tunnel parts were found in a literature study and were used
together with 2D CFD simulations to create a new wind tunnel design. Thick
corner vanes were used in this design with the purpose of using them as baffle
mufflers to create a better environment for aeroacoustic measurements inside the test section. The performance of the wind tunnel was evaluated thereafter by 3D CFD simulations. The 3D simulations provide an idea of the flow velocities, the flow uniformity, turbulence intensities, pressure losses and noise sources inside the wind tunnel. Since an existing wind tunnel fan and 42 kW motor was to be reused, noise measurements were done to find the noise characteristics of the fan-motor combination and to have an idea of how noise would propogate in
the environment were the new wind tunnel would be placed. After the noise
measurements, predictions of the transmission loss through the corner vanes
were made by using finite element analyses.