PIV measurements in environmental flows: Recent experiences at the Institute for Hydromechanics in Karlsruhe

Particle-Image-Velocimetry (PIV) has been applied to many different environmental flows in the last twelve years at the Institute for Hydromechanics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The present paper gives an overview about the most important results gained with PIV during this period and summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of this measurement technique. PIV applications to determine velocities at the water surface as well as internal flows characteristics are discussed with respect to physical and technical aspects. It can be concluded that PIV is still not a standard tool, every application needs adaptation and comprises certain limitations. Every element of the measurement system (window size, camera, spatial and temporal resolution, etc.) has to fit exactly the physical problem to be examined.

► Particle-Image-Velocimetry (PIV) is applied to different environmental flows.
► We use PIV on gravel beds, in a turbulence column and in gravity currents.
► PIV at the water surface is used in groin fields and for shallow vortex dynamics.