Applications in Wind Tunnel Technology

In recent decades, the applications of low-speed aerodynamics have increased, with the consequent need for extensive experimental tests for the development of vehicles, drones, and wind generators. Fifty years ago, many researchers predicted that computational fluid dynamics would replace experiments due to the availability of large computational capabilities at low cost. They were wrong, and physical experiments are still the only tool for comprehensive and effective planning of many devices. Turbulence still causes problems, and basic methods and theory have remained unchanged for several decades, without the quick rise in computational resources necessary for reducing time and costs. These experiments are routinely and extensively conducted in wind tunnels.