Applications of modern design of experiments to wind tunnel tests

Wind tunnel tests based on modern design of experiments (MODE) were carried out to measure the fin aerodynamic characteristics of No. 8 standard model. A dual variable (angle of attack and sideslip angle) method was used instead of OFAT(One Factor at A Time) method, which was commonly applied in traditional wind tunnel tests. Fist, design of experiment was done on angles of attack and sideslip angles simultaniowly, and the models were built by the response surface methodology (RSM), and the distribution of measured points was determined by IV-optimal methodology. The MODE tests were completed in FD-12 transonic wind tunnel after the improving of the control system of the wind tunnel, while the traditional OFAT tests were also done for the comparison. Results show that the test data from both MDOE and OFAT are well meet, 46% measured points were reduced in MODE tests, and the test time consumed by MODE tests is 30% less than that by OFAT tests, which improve the efficient of the wind tunnel test. The MODE tests are capable of reducing the systematical errors through repetitions, blockings and randomizations, while the uncertainty estimation of all the results on the design volume can achieved in details.