S2 GUST WIND TUNNEL

The Gust Tunnel is capable of generating a sinusoidal airflow with controlled amplitude and frequency. This makes it possible to study the aerodynamic behaviour of bodies subjected to gusts.

It have two 7.5kW centrifugal fans discharging into a stilling chamber from which the flow enters the test chamber. The test chamber is divided into two ducts and each duct contains a rotary butterfly valve with an adjustable area of closure. The two dampers are connected so that they rotate in counter-phase. This movement forces the flow to pass alternately through one duct or the other, and the frequency, amplitude and shape of the pulsating flow can be controlled.

This tunnel is used to study transient phenomena, such as the lifting of ballast stones when high-speed trains pass through, or other similar phenomena.