Computer vision applied to wave flume measurements

A new measurement system for laboratory wave flumes is presented, based on the analysis of digital images by means of computer vision techniques. Unlike conventional wave gauges, the system detects the motions of the free surface along the flume section of interest as opposed to a point. A further advantage lies in that no sensors are necessary within the flume. The system is particularly useful in the case of wave flume tests of floating bodies, such as an oil boom—the motions of the model boom are measured without any sensors in contact with it, which otherwise might place constraints on its displacements. The new method is validated based on free surface measurements carried out with a conventional wave gauge, with excellent results.