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GRADUATE AEROSPACE
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| Lucas AWT Home Capabilities Test Requirements Specifications Photos Contact Information Historical AWT Construction
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Lucas AWT Construction Installation of Test Section Walls The rigid side and flexible top and bottom walls of the test section were designed and fabricated once the return loops were in place. The rigid side walls are made of 3/4" aluminum plate, in six sections per wall. The sections are connected by patch plates, also of 3/4" aluminum. The wall segments were loosely bolted into the side wall beams, and then the segments were aligned and bolted together. Once the walls were aligned and level, they had to be shimmed straight, as the wall mounting beams had warped during welding. Using a simple taut thread and ruler, the walls were shimmed to within seven thousandths of an inch. The flexible walls were installed next. At 25' long, 6' wide and weighing 700 lbs each, there would be no easy way to move them into the tunnel room. Mammoet Western was again contracted for the installation, but was assisted by about 15 GALCIT student and staff volunteers. With the able bodies in strategic locations, the flex walls were moved hand-over-head in through the access hatch and onto the top of the test section, where they could be carried back up the contraction and slid into position. The lower wall went in first, and was supported by 2x4s across the windows until it could be lowered and attached to the actuators. The upper wall was then done the same way. Click on images to enlarge.
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