Designing a Cost-Effective Wind Tunnel to Explore Aerodynamics in an Undergraduate Laboratory

Aerodynamic principles and fluid dynamics are integral to undergraduate physics education, yet they are rarely accompanied by hands-on experimentation. As a result, students are often left to grapple with abstract theoretical concepts disconnected from physical intuition. To address this, we designed and constructed a wind tunnel for approximately $150 using readily available mate rials. This accessible apparatus enables direct visualization of flow patterns around bluff bodies and immerses students in the study of aerodynamic phenomena, including laminar-to-turbulent transitions, Reynolds number effects, and vortex shedding.

The first half of this presentation will detail the development and design of the wind tunnel, highlighting material selection, construction methods, experimental setup, and key design deci sions. The second half will focus on the broader benefits and long-term potential of the project, demonstrating how the wind tunnel can be adapted for diverse experiments, integrated across multiple courses, and serve as an introduction to advanced techniques such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Beyond its immediate instructional value, the project fosters meaningful student participation in all stages of design and analysis, supporting independent inquiry and experiential learning in undergraduate physics.