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CourseAutomotive & Motorsport Applications open

Introductory course on the use of wind tunnels

Online course of 300 hours introducing the use of wind tunnels: 6 modules covering types of wind tunnel, tunnel instrumentation, models and scale, test planning, and analysis of results, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Distinguish the types of wind tunnel and their applications.

02

Use the standard instrumentation of a wind tunnel.

03

Prepare scale models taking similarity into account.

04

Plan efficient test matrices.

05

Analyse and interpret aerodynamic results.

06

Correlate wind tunnel data with CFD and the track.

07

Write technical reports on test campaigns.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Wind tunnel technicians.
  • Experimental aerodynamicists.
  • Instrumentation engineers.
  • CFD engineers.
  • Scale model technicians.
  • Aerodynamic data analysts.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter motor racing.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • SAE J2084 (aerodynamic wind tunnel test procedure)
  • SAE J1594 (vehicle aerodynamics terminology)
  • FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations (aerodynamic testing restrictions)
  • ISO 5725 (accuracy of measurement methods)
  • JCGM 100:2008 (Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement, GUM)
  • ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing laboratories)
  • LabVIEW
  • MATLAB
  • DaVis (LaVision)
  • Ansys Fluent
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Open-circuit and closed-circuit tunnels
  2. 1.2Open and closed test sections
  3. 1.3Reduced-scale and full-scale tunnels
  4. 1.4Moving ground and rolling road
  5. 1.5Climatic tunnels for cooling
  6. 1.6Aeroacoustic tunnels and noise measurement
  7. 1.7Flow quality and turbulence
  8. 1.8Blockage and corrections
  9. 1.9Restrictions on use in F1
  10. 1.10Practical exercise: comparison of real facilities
  1. 2.1Six-component balance
  2. 2.2Pitot tubes and total pressure
  3. 2.3Pressure taps and scanners
  4. 2.4Five-hole multi-hole probes
  5. 2.5PIV and laser anemometry
  6. 2.6Thermography and hot-wire anemometry
  7. 2.7Balance calibration
  8. 2.8Data acquisition
  9. 2.9Measurement uncertainty
  10. 2.10Laboratory: calibration of a Pitot tube
  1. 3.1Similarity and Reynolds number
  2. 3.260% scale models
  3. 3.3Manufacturing by 3D printing
  4. 3.4Model wheels and tyres
  5. 3.5Sting mounting
  6. 3.6Ride height and yaw movements
  7. 3.7Quick part changes
  8. 3.8Model sealing
  9. 3.9Errors due to model scale effects
  10. 3.10Workshop: preparing a model
  1. 4.1Programme objectives
  2. 4.2Design of the test matrix
  3. 4.3Ride height and yaw sweeps
  4. 4.4Repeatability and checks
  5. 4.5Management of tunnel hours
  6. 4.6Recording model configurations
  7. 4.7Schedule of changes
  8. 4.8Safety in the tunnel
  9. 4.9Cost of the test
  10. 4.10Case study: designing a test matrix
  1. 5.1Coefficients and their correction
  2. 5.2Balance and centre of pressure
  3. 5.3Building complete aerodynamic maps
  4. 5.4Comparison between configurations
  5. 5.5Anomaly detection
  6. 5.6Correlation with CFD
  7. 5.7Correlation with the track
  8. 5.8Structure of the technical report
  9. 5.9Development decision-making
  10. 5.10Case study: report on a test campaign
  1. 6.1Definition of the objective
  2. 6.2Model design
  3. 6.3Test matrix
  4. 6.4Analysis of simulated data
  5. 6.5Technical conclusions of the programme
  6. 6.6Design recommendations
  7. 6.7Budget of tunnel hours
  8. 6.8CFD correlation plan
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is LabVIEW, MATLAB, DaVis (LaVision) and Ansys Fluent, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on real procedures: calibration of tunnel instrumentation, design of test matrices and analysis of balance results. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.

Standards covered: SAE J2084; SAE J1594; FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations; ISO 5725; JCGM 100:2008; ISO/IEC 17025.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of SAE J2084, SAE J1594 and the FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:LabVIEW, MATLAB, DaVis (LaVision) and Ansys Fluent, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete wind tunnel test programme, from model design and test matrix to CFD correlation plan, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Objective and model design
Define the test objective and design the scale model.
Test matrix
Build an efficient test matrix and budget the tunnel hours.
Data analysis
Analyse the simulated test data and draw technical conclusions.
Recommendations and correlation
Issue design recommendations and a CFD correlation plan.
Final project
Present the test programme and report for final review with your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Wind tunnel technicianExperimental aerodynamicistInstrumentation engineerCFD engineerScale model technicianAerodynamic data analyst
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with LabVIEW, MATLAB, DaVis (LaVision) and Ansys Fluent, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required: you only need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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