Development of a new system to measure aerodynamic forces on section models

The paper is about the development of a new force measurement system meant for use on section models in wind tunnels. Although it is not new in its main idea, some special care has been devoted to the correction of some systematic effects and to the uncertainty analysis. Moreover, the dynamometer has been thought for dynamic testing, to get the flutter derivatives, according to Scanlan’s theory: special attention has therefore been paid to its dynamic features. Also, as it is desired to change the relative angle between the incoming flow and the structure during the tests, the whole dynamometer has been fixed to a device whose rotation, computer controlled, is driven by a step by step motor. The need for a complete knowledge of the performances of the measurement set-up is considered an essential preliminary step for reliability in wind tunnel testing.