World-class facility for subsonic aeronautical and industrial testing
The 2 m x 3m wind tunnel provides a superior and secure working environment for commercial or government clients at a single, all-inclusive hourly fee. The facility has been used extensively for research and development in the areas of steady and unsteady aircraft aerodynamics, surface vehicle aerodynamics, marine hydrodynamics, aeroacoustics, wind-engineering and wind-energy generation.
For over 50 years, the National Research Council (NRC)’s 2 m x 3 m wind tunnel has been used to test Canadian athletes’ aerodynamics positions, equipment and clothing to help them reach the podium in international and Olympic competitions. We analyze airflow around the body with a focus on aerodynamic drag for key sport-specific positions.
The NRC has recognized expertise in wind-tunnel corrections methodologies, pressure-sensitive paint technology, model deformation measurement capability and flow mapping. Our world-renowned team includes aerodynamicists, flight engineers and business experts that will support your research initiatives. Working in our unique facilities to test, validate and demonstrate your product provides a controlled environment to de-risk new and experimental products with reliable data that will be crucial in the large-scale or commercial development of your product.
- Aeroacoustic measurements, testing and evaluation, which can determine three dimensional sound fields generated by a model in a wind tunnel
- Aerodynamic stability and structural response
- Static and aeroelastic wind tunnel model design
- Vehicle and structure dynamics
- Flow visualization and instrumentation (acoustic array, pressure sensitive paint, smoke, surface oil film, fluorescent mini-tuft)
- Aerospace and satellites
- Automotive
- Construction (including building, civil engineering, specialty trades)
- Energy
- Environmental technologies and related services
- Transportation
Specialized labs and equipment
| Equipment | Function |
|---|---|
| Main balance | Measures lift, drag, side forces (kN) (limits are ±6.7, ±2.3, ±4.4); measures pitch, yaw, roll (kN m) (limits are ±2.7, ±2.7, ±2.7). Measurement accuracy: ±0.1% to ±0.05% full-scale |
| TestSlate data system | Data acquisition; Analog/Digital channels: 24 and 16 bit @ 100 kHz, custom configurations |
| Aerotech model/probe control | Controls the motion of the models/probes; can control up to 16axes |
| Scanivalve ZOC™ , Kulite | Pressure measurements |
| LaVision | Flow visualization system; enables Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) |
Private and public sector research partners
- Department of National Defence (DND)
- NASA
- Transport Canada
- Sports Canada
- Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ)