Page 63 - Trimax_mag162_pagesuk
P. 63
WIND TUNNEL TESTING
How does a wind-
tunnel test take
place? How are the
data measured ?
The idea is to manage to
place a fitted triathlete as
close to reality as possible,
offering a resistance
identical to the one in
real conditions.
Many measures are
possible with these tests
thanks to the multitude
of sensors: the resistance
due to gravity, the
frictional resistance In parallel, the power developed by the
(wheel contact), the air resistance made of the cyclist is measured by a power sensor. Thus,
drag strength and lift strength, the flow velocity each aerodynamic measure is balanced with
of the fluid on the body... The air is frontally the mechanical power and bio-mechanical
projected but also on different angles to put the performance.
cyclist in different weather conditions (frontal or
lateral wind). These data are transmitted on a computer to allow
a more developed analysis of these measures.
The cyclist can follow in
real time the different
data and possibly correct
a positioning while the
machine keeps working.
The data allow to be
more efficient and more
powerful. Once the
position is corrected
and the accessories are
optimized, the cyclist
«only» has to apply in
races the lessons learnt to
be more efficient... Easy ?!
http://www.newtonlab.it/
it/doveSiamo.htm
63