Allowed wind tunnel time?

[grano123]

Having read various posts on the forum, where it's mentioned about teams running their wind tunnel running 24/7, I thought there was a restriction on the amount of tunnel time allowed?

Or is this restriction only on the 100% scale and the smaller 50/60% tunnels have no limitations? Which would seem if so, a complete farce with any calls to reduce costs within F1.

[astracrazy]

- Teams to use no more than one wind tunnel (some teams now lease there 2nd tunnel to other teams now)
- Test fluid to be air at atmospheric pressure.
- Maximum test section wind speed 50m/sec.
- Maximum model scale 60 percent.
- No more than one model to be tested during a run.
- Maximum usage to be equivalent to 15 runs per eight-hour day on five days per week for team F1 purposes. Tunnel may be contracted out at other times.*
- Aerodynamic testing may only take place in wind tunnels if at reduced scale or at FIA approved test tracks if full scale. Full size testing to be subject to the F1 testing agreement.
- Full scale specific aerodynamic testing is to be reduced to 5 days per year.

* i.e mon - fri, weekends are banned

your right about seeing things mentioned about running 23hrs per day or 24/7. Perhaps its something to do with the " equivalent to 15 runs per eight-hour day"

[scarbs]

There is a restriction on scale of the model and wind-on time. Teams are restricted 60% maximum scale models and Wind-on time is when the fan is actually blowing. So the tunnel can be in use, albeit not blowing 24-7. For example teams with manual model adjustment, the wind won't be on for long periods in between adjustments, so the team will run three shifts for 24-7 running.

100% scale testing is limited to and this has to be swapped fro 4 days of wind tunnel time.

[astracrazy]

so my guess is right? They can be working with the tunnel 24/7 (but i guess 24/5) but actual run time can not exceed 15 runs per 8 hour day

[Slife]

How long is a "run" and what are the benefits of not using air at atmospheric pressure for the wind tunnel ?

[grano123]

Hmmm, that all seems double dutch to me

So does that mean that you can run a 60% scale model, in a 100% size tunnel?

[astracrazy]

Hmmm, that all seems double dutch to me

So does that mean that you can run a 60% scale model, in a 100% size tunnel?

theres no such thing as a 100% size tunnel. The tunnel size is the tunnel size. Just the model has to be no greater than 60%

[turbof1]

Hmmm, that all seems double dutch to me

So does that mean that you can run a 60% scale model, in a 100% size tunnel?

theres no such thing as a 100% size tunnel. The tunnel size is the tunnel size. Just the model has to be no greater than 60%

Yes there is. Of course you can test the model in the normal size tunnel, but that would be pure waste. Nowadays tunnels are made for 60% model, resulting in much less power consumation.

[Jersey Tom]

Of course you can test the model in the normal size tunnel, but that would be pure waste. Nowadays tunnels are made for 60% model

I think these folks would disagree.

[marcush.]

Sauber tunnel has 100% capacity (for a Formula 1 car) ,so has The new in 2007 Tunnel of Honda (now MGP) in Brackley..

I´m pretty sure teams would test 100% now if they were allowed to do so

[grano123]

Hmmm, that all seems double dutch to me

So does that mean that you can run a 60% scale model, in a 100% size tunnel?

theres no such thing as a 100% size tunnel. The tunnel size is the tunnel size. Just the model has to be no greater than 60%

OK, let me rephrase the comment..............can you run a "normal" size tunnel, ie: one built to run a 100% full size car in it, but only use a 60% scale model, without restrictions?

[astracrazy]

lol i dunno mate.

You have to run to the restrictions within the regulations - if thats what you mean. If you mean restrictions in results i dunno

[kaller]

What benefit would a 100% scale tunnel with a 60% model have compared to a 60% scale tunnel? I mean the air flow speed is limited and therefore the same, so the bigger tunnel won't have any advantage. Or am I missing something here?

[marcush.]

What benefit would a 100% scale tunnel with a 60% model have compared to a 60% scale tunnel? I mean the air flow speed is limited and therefore the same, so the bigger tunnel won't have any advantage. Or am I missing something here?

if you have a 100% tunnel with all the features you can use it for 60% (allowed modelsize) + 100% full scale testing (limited hours) .
Not everyone has a windtunnel model so it makes sense to have 100% capapbility ,who knows what is allowed in a few years,after alll.A tunnel is a very expensive item you cannot tear down and build new every 3 or 4 years..

ah btw Handa Windtunnel facility -now in possession of MGP interview with graham miller then director of windtunnel operations:
http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2005/12/3874.html