Abstract:
The use of pressure tubing is common in wind engineering, aerodynamics and other studies for measuring fluctuating surface pressures. However, thin models or a model with complicated geometry can result in it being unfeasible to route these tubes to their connection on the model. 3D-printing tubes integral to the model is an attractive solution. This introduces two concerns: the tubes may have a differing response depending on their printed length relative to the net tubing system length, and cross-communication may exist between adjacent 3D-Printed tubes due to the compliance of thin dividing walls and material porosity. Six differing lengths of 3D-Printed tubes were tested for their frequency response in comparison to a system of homogeneous vinyl tubing. Testing was conducted for a 1500 mm tubing system with up to 200 mm printed-length, sampling at 400 Hz. It is seen that the 3D-Print length has negligible effect on results for these conditions. Further testing examined the potential for cross-communication in parallel printed tubes with wall thicknesses between 0.5 and 1.5 mm. It is shown that the printed tubes did not exhibit cross-communication, and so can be used for further research as part of a larger tubing system.
