Understanding the aerodynamics of systems is crucial in the design of vehicles and structures. Wind tunnels provide a controlled environment to analyze airflow around models that help inform the design process. Large-scale wind tunnels are expensive, so we have built a smaller scale cost-effective one. We have made measurements to characterize the airflow in the test section where models to be tested will be placed. We have quantified the air speed, uniformity, and consistency of the airflow with two different fan systems. This information will be needed for using the wind tunnel in instructional laboratories or future research.
