Validation and Extension of Image Velocimetry Capabilities for Flow Diagnostics in Hydraulic Modeling

In the last 3 decades, quantitative image velocimetry has considerably grown in popularity in the fluid mechanics research community. More recently, image-based techniques have been extended to hydraulic applications for mapping and quantifying free-surface velocities spanning large areas in free-surface laboratory and natural-scale flows. During the adaptation process it has been proven the great potential that image velocimetry holds for qualitative and quantitative observations hydraulic applications. Current efforts are directed toward evaluating the technique performance, perfecting implementation aspects, and expanding its flow diagnostic capabilities. Presented here are new laboratory measurements that estimate the accuracy of image velocimetry by comparison with alternative instruments, recent developments targeting enhancement of several technique components, and proof-of-concept experiments that demonstrate new measurement and operational capabilities. The ultimate goals of the new experimental evidence are to demonstrate that image velocimetry possesses full-grown capabilities for laboratory hydraulic investigations and has the potential to be successfully implemented in important river and coastal engineering applications.