Advances in non-contact deformation measurement for wind tunnel testing

• • The importance of non-contact deformation measurement. Essential for industries like aerospace, automotive and motorsport, improving performance, safety and cost-effectiveness by providing precise aerodynamic insights.

• • Advantages of optical measurement techniques methods like Digital Image Correlation allow for accurate deformation tracking without interfering with airflow, eliminating errors caused by physical sensors, reducing setup time and enabling post-test data to be reprocessed.

• • Enhancements in wind tunnel testing techniques such as Unified Coordinate System and Rigid Body Motion Correction.

Accurate, non-contact deformation measurement in wind tunnels is crucial for industries like aerospace, automotive and motorsport. These measurements enhance performance, safety and cost-efficiency by providing detailed insights into aerodynamic behaviour.

Traditional methods relied on physical sensors, which can interfere with airflow and affect accuracy. Video techniques, such as Digital Image Correlation (DIC), have emerged as powerful alternatives. DIC tracks patterns on test models, enabling precise deformation measurements without physical contact. This approach reduces setup times, prevents sensor-induced errors and allows for post-test analysis.