A couple of questions: What is the cost of a modern day wind tunnel for F1 use? Also, what size wind tunnels do McLaren and Williams use? Is a 50% wind tunnel as big as you need?
Cost of Wind tunnels?
Started by
Hunt the Shunt Fan
, Jul 25 2002 06:19
7 replies to this topic
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#2
Nathan
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Posted 25 July 2002 - 07:19
Ive heard $40-50 milliion USD....but not sure for what size or scale.
#3
TOPCAT
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Posted 25 July 2002 - 07:44
I'm pretty sure the big teams run full scale wind tunnels now. Could be
wrong though
wrong though
#4
desmo
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Posted 25 July 2002 - 19:18
Benetton's 50% tunnel at Enstone commisioned in 1998 nominally cost 20 million USD to build. It also included a perhaps ill-concieved capacity to pressurize the tunnel in order to test half scale models at closer to correct Reynolds numbers that must have added some cost. Even so I doubt it could be done properly for less today.
I understand that modern tunnels for F1 programs can now accomodate full size cars but that to do so isn't practical as the flow within the tunnel is compromised. Full size wings can be and are tested however.
I understand that modern tunnels for F1 programs can now accomodate full size cars but that to do so isn't practical as the flow within the tunnel is compromised. Full size wings can be and are tested however.
#5
Melbourne Park
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Posted 04 August 2002 - 23:52
This was discussed here a while ago ... I recall a major advantage of a half size tunnel was that the parts could be weak and yet not break, hence development of aero issues is much faster and cheaper with half size ... maybe an explaination also for exploding wings, which might benefit from full size reliability testing. but that's not what wind tunnels are for ...
#6
Christiaan
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Posted 16 August 2002 - 08:03
Whenn Ferrari were building theirs Rory said they will be doing a maximum 75% scale and SA Car reported it cost $32Mil,
Desmo, what did you mean by Bennetons "ill concieved" idea. Its quite common to use different fluids or to alter the fluid somewhat to achive dynamic similarity for models.
Desmo, what did you mean by Bennetons "ill concieved" idea. Its quite common to use different fluids or to alter the fluid somewhat to achive dynamic similarity for models.
#7
desmo
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Posted 17 August 2002 - 00:51
Geoff Willis,
"What I've heard about the Benetton tunnel suggests to me that they ran out of time or ran out of effort. ...to my knowledge it has never been at pressure!
"The logic is there. A pressurised wind tunnel gives you the increase in Reynolds Number [Benetton's Enstone tunnel is designed to be capable of being pressurised at up to 1 bar above ambient pressure which effectively means you can run at a lower speed in the tunnel simulating higher speed outside. This can double the Reynolds Number to 0.6 of a full size car] which effectively means you can run at a lower speed in the tunnel simulating higher speed outside.
"The big problem with a pressurised wind tunnel is that you have this enormous pressure vessel you are pressurising to 1 bar over ambient, or whatever it is; you have to pump it all up then you start your model running and you realise you have a problem! You have forgotten to do something, or something has come off, or what have you. That means you either have to depressurise it again or your operators have to spend a certain amount of time in a pressurised environment, which I don't think is very nice.
"I can see why it has been done but the pressurised tunnels that are around in the aircraft industry, they are difficult things to work with. I think Benetton was rather foolish to go this route."
"What I've heard about the Benetton tunnel suggests to me that they ran out of time or ran out of effort. ...to my knowledge it has never been at pressure!
"The logic is there. A pressurised wind tunnel gives you the increase in Reynolds Number [Benetton's Enstone tunnel is designed to be capable of being pressurised at up to 1 bar above ambient pressure which effectively means you can run at a lower speed in the tunnel simulating higher speed outside. This can double the Reynolds Number to 0.6 of a full size car] which effectively means you can run at a lower speed in the tunnel simulating higher speed outside.
"The big problem with a pressurised wind tunnel is that you have this enormous pressure vessel you are pressurising to 1 bar over ambient, or whatever it is; you have to pump it all up then you start your model running and you realise you have a problem! You have forgotten to do something, or something has come off, or what have you. That means you either have to depressurise it again or your operators have to spend a certain amount of time in a pressurised environment, which I don't think is very nice.
"I can see why it has been done but the pressurised tunnels that are around in the aircraft industry, they are difficult things to work with. I think Benetton was rather foolish to go this route."
#8
condor
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Posted 18 August 2002 - 01:08
Regarding cost of the use of wind tunnels
I used to have to budget for mine and I was to provide a straight forward equation of electricity costs plus labour.
Never worked like that in reality....I just said to myself how long the job would take, taking into account the number of configurations....and just made a blind guess.
Usually made a profit
I used to have to budget for mine and I was to provide a straight forward equation of electricity costs plus labour.
Never worked like that in reality....I just said to myself how long the job would take, taking into account the number of configurations....and just made a blind guess.
Usually made a profit
