Design of Rolling Road for Wind Tunnel Simulation

Increasing particulate matter levels in the environment due to vehicular motion calls for a detailed study of particle dispersion in the wake of a moving vehicle. Wind tunnels are used to simulate vehicle motion and study the characteristics of dust dispersion in the wake of a moving vehicle. The appropriate ground conditions in the wind tunnel are very important for simulation of actual road conditions. The boundary layer formed over the test section floor must be eliminated. A rolling road provides a ground surface that moves at the velocity of wind tunnel-free stream flow, preventing the formation of a boundary layer. A rolling road has been designed that can provide a moving ground condition inside the wind tunnel for free stream flow up to 10 m/s. Steady-state thermal analysis was performed on the proposed design. As obtained from simulations, the maximum temperature developed on the backing plate is 53.56 °C, in agreement with the analytical results. Steady-state structural analysis reveals a maximum deflection of the frame of 0.2 mm. The driving power required for standard operating conditions is 4 kW at 1000 RPM. This paper discusses the design process and analyses each component of the rolling road.