Jules Verne 2.0, renewal of a large wind tunnel facility

Abstract eng:
The paper aims at showing the evolution of methods to design a large wind tunnel. The current Jules Verne facility was designed with a scale model of the wind tunnel which enabled hot wire local wind speed measurements. The new facility is designed according a numerical modelling approach which parameters were validated by PIV measurements in the reduced scale physical model. INTRODUCTION The Jules Verne climatic wind tunnel of CSTB has been operated for more than 25 years by now; with the complementary dynamic and thermal circuits the facility operates in various domains of expertise, building, civil engineering, energy production, transport… The renewal of the Jules Verne climatic wind tunnel is essential today to maintain its position amongst the major experimental facility at international level. The modernization of the wind tunnel aims at meeting new societal challenges - energy and ecological transition, safe, clean and efficient energy production, health and wellness, smart, green and integrated transport, climate change ... - and contribute to the development of new induced markets. These new challenges require the establishment and development of complementary scientific and technical competences related to the expected innovations along with accompanying training actions. On these issues, is added the development of digital technologies, data management and communication technologies, whether for simulations aspects of physical phenomena, as those related to building information modeling (BIM), GIS and Smart Grid. The Jules Verne wind tunnel modernization project includes the following investments: • Optimization and adaptation of the geometry of the dynamic wind tunnel unit to optimize the aerodynamic field in order to address specific markets, • Adaptations of the climatic wind tunnel to meet the needs of key customers: variable geometry nozzles for testing large civil engineering structures (bridges), wind field over urban district; 4WD bench for 4x4, hybrid or full electric vehicles; load bench for off-road vehicles; moving belt floor for the railway industry, dust control systems, etc. • Regarding the health issue and operating safety of our facilities, it is also planned to replace the cooling tower refrigeration units (3 MW) by dry condensers, • Expansion of the control rooms, preparation halls, and availability of offices and meeting rooms to welcome outside researchers and corporate partners, • Digital simulation capabilities to complete the testing service offers with virtual simulations.

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