Construcción de un túnel de viento con espejos Schlieren para la visualización del efecto aerodinámico en vehículos a escala para el taller de Ingeniería Automotriz de la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana sede Quito

Abstract

The present degree work addresses the theme related to the design and construction of a wind tunnel with the implementation of Schlieren effect mirrors for the visualization of aerodynamic behavior in scale vehicles. The research focused on understanding and applying the Schlieren effect as a technique to visualize airflows around vehicles. A thorough study was carried out covering both theoretical principles and wind tunnel design techniques. Special emphasis was placed on the incorporation of Schlieren mirrors, which allow post-processing to improve the quality of the images. To validate the results obtained, tests were carried out in the wind tunnel using two software: Fluent and SolidWorks. Fluent software enabled computational simulations that provided numerical data and detailed visualizations of aerodynamic behavior. On the other hand, SolidWorks facilitated the visual and structural analysis of the vehicle to scale, allowing to evaluate its aerodynamic resistance and optimize its design. When comparing the results obtained both in the wind tunnel and through the Fluent and SolidWorks software, visual differences of the air flow were found in terms of the level of detail and precision. The Fluent software stood out for its simulation capabilities and detailed analysis, providing valuable information for the study. For its part, SolidWorks offered a realistic visual representation and a more direct evaluation of the structure of the vehicle. The implementation of Schlieren effect mirrors in a wind tunnel turned out to be an effective and promising technique for visualizing the aerodynamic effect on scale vehicles, such as dragsters. The combination of computational simulations and visual analysis allowed for a more complete understanding of airflow behavior and design optimization. These findings have important implications for future research in the field of vehicle aerodynamics and could contribute to the development of more efficient and safer vehicles. In addition, the advantages and limitations of Fluent and SolidWorks software in obtaining and analyzing results are highlighted. It is expected to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the area of vehicle aerodynamics and lay the foundations for future research and improvements in the design of scale vehicles.