Large Volume Airflow Visualisation (LVAV)

An innovative use of existing motion capture technology to track steady and unsteady time-dependant airflow in large volumes. By allowing the capture of unsteady airflow over full size aerodynamic objects in a single data collection, a complete picture of the aerodynamic properties of an object, including the wake can be determined. As motion capture systems have developed they are now able to collect marker location data to the accuracy, resolution and frequency required to provide meaningful information on airflow patterns. The first objective of this project is to develop markers that have the physical properties required, (low mass, small size, appropriate drag) to still be detectable, but also to follow the airflow faithfully. The second objective is to develop appropriate camera mounting to ensure that vibrations within the wind tunnel cannot affect the accuracy of motion capture system.