Automotive Testing Using Pressure-Sensitive Paint

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Mébarki, Y. | Cooper, K.R. | Reichert, T.M.

Affiliations: Institute for Aerospace Research, National Research Council 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, K1A0R6, Canada. Tel: (613) 998 8994; Fax: (613) 998 1281; E-mail: youssef.mebarki@nrc.ca | Student, Engineering Science Program, University of Toronto, Canada

Abstract: Measurements of the surface pressure on a simplified automobile model have been performed using pressure-sensitive paint (PSP). The program was undertaken to investigate the use of commercial and in-house PSP at low speed (between 11 m/s and 92 m/s) and to find techniques to improve the measurement accuracy. A comparison of a priori and in situ calibration methods was also conducted. A linear in situ calibration or a priori methods combined with one tap pressure, correcting for bias errors, were found to provide the best accuracy.

Keywords: Visualization, PSP, Automotive testing, Pressure measurements

Journal: Journal of Visualization, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 381-393, 2003