General Motors Full Scale Wind Tunnel Upgrade

2020-01-0687

04/14/2020

Features
Event
WCX SAE World Congress Experience
Authors Abstract
Content
The General Motors Aero Lab’s Full-Scale Wind Tunnel Facility, which came into operation in August of 1980[1], has undergone the significant upgrade of installing a state-of-the-art moving ground plane system. After almost four decades of continuous use the full-scale wind tunnel also received some significant maintenance to other areas, including a new heat exchanger, main fan overhaul, and replacement of the test section acoustic treatment. A 5-belt system was installed along with an integrated vehicle lift system. The center belt measures 8.5m long and can accommodate two belt widths of 1100mm and 950mm. Flow quality and other wind tunnel performance parameters were maintained to prior specifications which are on par with the latest industry standards [2]. The new 5-belt rolling road system maintains GM’s industry leading vehicle aerodynamic development and the improved acoustic panels ensure GM continues to develop vehicles with leading class acoustics.
Meta TagsDetails
DOI
https://doi.org/10.4271/2020-01-0687
Pages
16
Citation
Tortosa, N., Nagle, P., and Brooker, T., "General Motors Full Scale Wind Tunnel Upgrade," SAE Technical Paper 2020-01-0687, 2020, https://doi.org/10.4271/2020-01-0687.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Apr 14, 2020
Product Code
2020-01-0687
Content Type
Technical Paper
Language
English