Structural Aerodynamics Laboratory

Excellence, technology and innovation at the forefront of wind engineering to drive safer, more efficient and more competitive structural solutions to address the challenges of tomorrow.

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STRUCTURAL AERODYNAMICS LABORATORY

Experimental aerodynamics

Research in this field is led by the Structural Mechanics Group (GME, by its Spanish initials) and focuses on wind-structure interaction (buildings, bridges, aircraft, individual elements or urban developments). It includes both experimental testing and advanced numerical analysis, which provides a comprehensive approach to problem solving.

CITEEC has two laboratories where experimental tests are carried out on different models, both reduced and full-scale, depending on the dimensions of the work. The TUVA is a laminar flow wind tunnel, whilst the TUCLA is a boundary layer wind tunnel.

Infraestructure

Atmospheric Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel (TUCLA, for its Spanish initials)

Setting up closed-circuit.
Drive unit comprising 9 fans with blades 100 cm in diameter and motors of 11 kW.
Maximum velocity in the critical section of the test chamber U ≈ 25 m/s.
Laminar flow regime with low turbulence (Iu < 0.5%) and turbulent flow with wind profile.
Test chamber:
- Section: 3 m (width) × 2 m (height).
- Length: 22 m, antechamber of 18 m.
Positioning systems:
- Motorised sectional axis with a length of 3 m.
- Motorised turntable with a diameter of 8 m.
- Robotic system with 6 GDL (*Under development).
Direct view of the tests through transparent side walls.
Digital display of the tests using recording equipment in real time.
A wide variety of obstacles and roughness elements (barriers, spires, mesh and studs) to generate turbulence and adjust the incident wind profile.

Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel (TUVA, for its Spanish initials)

- Setting up open circuit.
- Drive unit made up of a fan with blades 150 cm in diameter and a 60 hp motor.
- Maximum speed in the critical section of the test chamber U ≈ 32 m/s.
- Laminar flow regime with low turbulence (Iu <0.2%) and turbulent flow.
- Test chamber:
  - Section: 1 m (width) × 1 m (height).
  - Length: 3 m.
- Positioning systems:
  - Graduated sectional axis (±20°).
  - Pneumatic-magnetic system with 3 GDL.
- Direct view of the tests through transparent side walls.

Technical office

Auxiliary support service for projects.
Complementary support from local suppliers.
In-house manufacturing of models and rapid prototyping.
Competencies in different areas of mechanics, electronics and electrical engineering:
- Welding.
- CAD design.
- Conventional and CNC machining.
- Additive manufacturing using 3D printing.
- Adaptation of instrumentation.
- Manufacture of printed circuit boards.
- Manufacture of cabling and connectors.
- Maintenance of laboratory equipment.

Activity

Research areas

Study of fluid-structure interaction in the civil, industrial and aeronautical fields, amongst others.
Analysis of static and dynamic aeroelastic phenomena (torsional divergence, flutter, gallop, vortex shedding or vortex-induced vibrations) in long-span bridges and unique structures.
Use of test methods involving free vibration and forced vibration configurations, with 3 GDL.
Integration of numerical models that are compatible with a hybrid methodology (experimental-computational) that is designed for comprehensive evaluation of the structural model.
Review of urban areas, residential areas or complex architectural developments.
Experimental determination of non-dimensional parameters such as aerodynamic coefficients and flutter functions, alongside other quantities of interest.
Experimental validation of numerical models applied to complex structures.
Development of advanced techniques to visualise structural motion in real time.
Support for research projects and technology transfer in engineering.

Key features

Generation of flow conditions in laminar and turbulent flow regimes.
Accurate representation of the wind profile of the atmospheric boundary layer.
Coverage of different angles of incidence of the flow.
Ability to adapt to static and dynamic tests.
Option to test models that are rigid and flexible.
Versatility to apply scale models or full-scale models.
Available in sectional models and full-size models.
Advanced control via a customised SCADA system, with manual or automatic operation.
Integration of universal data acquisition systems offering high precision, resolution and sampling rate.
Flexibility in the integration of specialized instrumentation.
Assessment of aerodynamic forces, mapping of surface pressures and quantification of vibrations and displacements, as well as other relevant parameters.
Monitoring in real time of parameters, test stages and variables of interest.
Reproduction and repeatability of flow conditions in a controlled environment.

Other studies

Characterisation of atmospheric wind.
Studies on safety and pedestrian comfort.
Testing of flow control devices.
Research into the mitigation of induced vibrations.
Development of advanced experimental methodologies.
Simulation using computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
Energy harvesting and use in urban environments (energy harvesting).

Equipment

Accelerometer

Capacitive, piezoelectric or piezoresistive sensors to measure acceleration under different conditions.Capacitive, piezoelectric or piezoresistive sensors to measure acceleration under different conditions.

High-speed camera

A recording device to record temporary events and high-frequency vibration phenomena.

Load cell (uniaxial)

Transducers with built-in amplification to measure unidirectional forces.

Load cell (multi-axial)

Transductores basados en puentes de galgas extensiométricas para la medición de fuerzas y momentos (6-componentes) en múltiples ejes.

Weather station

A system featuring a barometer and a thermo-hygrometer to monitor environmental conditions.

Optical distance meter

Laser triangulation sensors to measure displacement and vibration.

Pressure gauge (uniaxial)

L-type Pitot tubes for single-dimensional flow measurement.

Pressure gauge (multi-axis)

Multi-hole probe (4-hole) for three-dimensional flow characterisation.

Pressure gauge (multi-channel)

Compact pressure scanner for sequential evaluation of multiple differential pressure measurements.

Completed projects

Proyectos realizados

Studies of suspension bridges and cable-stayed bridges, footbridges and viaducts.
Analysis of aerospace structures such as UAVs or wing profiles.
Tests on structures and other high-rise elements.
Assessment of urban environments and planning of new areas.
Assessment of unique structures (solar panels, wind turbines, etc.).
Experimental validation of numerical models.