A High Resolution Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) System for Turbulence Measurements in Oceanic Flows

Abstract

The PI requests funds to purchase a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system to enhance the quality of his currently funded Office of Naval Research (ONR) research project as well as future ONR projects. These ongoing projects focus on improved understanding and modeling of flow physics and turbulent mixing in oceanic flows using primarily theoretical analysis and computational simulations. The main objectives are: (1) to obtain detailed insights on the flow physics past topographic features in a number of basic flow configurations consisting of currents and tides in both idealized open channel domains as well as realistic topographic features in open and coastal ocean settings, and (2) formulate parameterizations for turbulent mixing as functions of important non-dimensional parameters governing the physics. The ability to make high resolution spatial and time-resolved flow turbulence measurements in the laboratory will not only provide validation of computational simulation results but also allow for detailed investigation of the flow dynamics and complex wake-vortex structures associated with flow around complex topography. To this end, the PI is developing a new environmental fluid mechanics laboratory (EFML) at Colorado State University that integrates a rich combination of computational, experimental and theoretical capabilities for tackling ongoing and future ONRfunded research projects. This laboratory will also be instrumental in the education of our research team currently consisting of 8 graduate students in fluid dynamics. Furthermore, multiple undergraduate students will benefit from the exposure to research conducted in the EFML through summer internships and lab visits. We propose to use the PIV system that will be acquired through this DURIP proposal to make turbulence measurements in numerous turbulent flow configurations ranging from detailed flow turbulence measurements of uniform and wave-induced flows around topographic obstacles to gravity currents to internal wave-driven flows in oceanic flows.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jul 10, 2018
Source ID
N000141812345

Entities

People

  • Subhas K. Venayagamoorthy

Organizations

  • Colorado State University
  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.
  • Research Science/Academic Research