on 8/22/02 3:29 PM, Clive Smith wrote:

> Just be aware that as :
> a) Water has a different visosity than air;

yes, of course

> b) the Reynolds No. (non-dimensional number controlling viscous flow
> behaviour)
> of a model in water bears no relation to that of a full sized vehicle in
> air -

really? *no* relation? Of course the Reynolds # will be different but you
can at least visualise the flow around the van in a gross way - we are
talking fun here, not a detailed examination.

>
> ------- you are unlikley to come to any useful conclusions using your flume
> tunnel.

yes, the idea was not to come up with data but to visualise flow in a
general way.

> However, tufting your van and using mirrors or a camera to observe the flow
> might
> be more worthwhile- but your conclusions from what you see - again - might
> not.

sure you might come to a false conclusion but if you see the tufts waving
vertically or moving in a confused manner near and around the vents you
might, just might, discover something. Its a whole lot better than sitting
on your duff talking about it :)

Alistair