GRADUATE AEROSPACE LABORATORIES
California Institute of Technology
Division of Engineering and Applied Science
1200 E. California Boulevard, MS 105-50, Pasadena, CA 91125

Historical
AWT construction
Ten-Foot Tunnel

AWT Construction
Beginnings
Preparations
Test Section
First Wave
Second Wave
Fan
Test Section Walls
Exteriors
Interiors

Lucas AWT Construction

Beginnings at Aerolab

The return loop of the wind tunnel was built by Aerolab, located in Laurel, MD.  While the interior aerodynamic contours and overall tunnel layout were designed at Caltech, Aerolab handled the final detail design, including pattern layout, sectional breaks, reinforcements, supports and other structural details.  The sections are made of 1/4" steel plate, with T-beams and angles for reinforcement.  They were fabricated in Maryland, and shipped across the country on flatbed trailers to be assembled in the wind tunnel room at Caltech.  The shipment arrived in two main parts, approximately one month apart to allow time for assembly and initial alignment.

Click on images to enlarge.

 

Rolling the contraction.	One quadrant of the finished contraction.

Contraction quadrants and other sections in Aerolab's "back yard."