Experimental Investigation in Fluid Mechanics – Its Role, Problems and Tasks

In this contribution, some problems and tasks of experimental fluid mechanics are presented. Paradoxes, basic laws and contemporary investigation approaches are discussed. Experimental results, together with theoretical knowledge and numerical simulations gradually form basis for solution of topical problems. The author of this contribution focuses his investigations into field of compressible fluid flow. Due to this, some results of high-speed aerodynamic research contributing to design and operation of machines, where flow velocities exceed speed of sound, are shown. Moreover, the author intends to show, that fluid mechanics is open field ready to describe complex interactions at fluid flows. Experimental fluid mechanics takes part in formulation and solution of tasks at flow field modelling, at explanation of phenomena taking place in nature and in technical works.