Exploratory Studies on the Design of Acoustic Splitters for Wind Tunnels.

This Memorandum discusses the choice of geometry and materials for acoustic splitters in wind tunnels, with particular reference to the requirements for modifying the 5ft and 24ft tunnels at RAE. The optimum theoretical design of acoustic splitters is considered first and then practical materials to match the requirements are chosen. Experimental investigations at small scale in an aeroacoustic research rig with ducted flow are described. Attention is drawn to the need for the splitters to have a good aerodynamic profile and to the problems associated with the self-noise of the splitters when they are installed in high-speed sections of the tunnel circuit. Author