Uncertainty Analysis of Conditions in the Test Section of the T4 Shock Tunnel

Abstract

A method is presented for estimating the uncertainties in the flow conditions at the exit of the nozzle of the T4 shock tunnel in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Queensland. The method used to estimate the uncertainties is presented along with results for some test conditions. Four conditions are considered specifically - each for the Mach 5 nozzle with air as the test gas. The stagnation enthalpy for these conditions varies from 3 MJ/kg to 14 MJ/kg. The results indicate that typical uncertainties in static pressures, temperatures and densities are around +/- 10% while uncertainties in flow speed and Mach number are around +/- 5% and +/- 2% respectively.