CALCULATION, DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF A SMALL-SCALE WIND TUNNEL FOR APPLICATION IN AUTOMOTIVE AERODYNAMIC EXPERIMENTS

This study presents the design, simulation, and fabrication process of a low-cost, small-scale wind tunnel model intended for observing and analyzing the aerodynamic characteristics around a car model. Based on prior scientific literature and research, the authors determined the appropriate geometry and dimensions for the wind tunnel's main components. Subsequently, numerical simulation was employed to evaluate the velocity distribution and flow quality within the test section, serving as a basis for design calibration and optimization before fabrication. The model was manufactured from common materials and integrated a dry-ice based smoke generation system for airflow visualization. Experimental results indicate that the airflow in the test section achieved the necessary stability, the smoke generation system operated effectively, and characteristic phenomena such as flow separation and wake turbulence behind the vehicle were clearly reproduced. This model is an effective experimental solution that addresses the need for testing equipment in teaching and research environments with limited resources.