Abstract:
Fluid Dynamics is a core course within several engineering disciplines including Mechanical,
Chemical and Civil Engineering. It is, however, a difficult course to teach as it involves
concepts that can often be viewed as abstract by the students - concepts such as, for example,
rotational versus irrotational flows. Teaching of Fluid Dynamics also involves the use of high
level mathematics that is usually difficult to associate with physical flow situations. To aid in
the breaking down of these conceptual barriers, simple experiments are often used to
complement classroom teaching. While a number of such experiments already exist (eg wind
tunnel experiments), this study proposes the use of low-cost particle image velocimetry (PIV)
as an additional tool. PIV is an established non-intrusive velocity measurement technique that
is mainly used within the research space as opposed to the educational space due to the
associated high costs and need for high-level expertise. However, recent efforts have been
geared towards making PIV more affordable and accessible. Such efforts have included, for
example, replacing high-end cameras with mobile phone cameras, replacing high-end lasers
with cheaper light sources and the development of open-source software for analysis (both
computer-based and phone-based). Building on these efforts, this study seeks to illustrate how
low-cost PIV can be easily incorporated into a typical undergraduate Fluid Dynamics
laboratory. A simple flow set up was assembled using a beaker, a magnetic stirrer, waterglycerine
mixture
and
a
relatively
inexpensive
laser
and
optics
system.
The
flow
was
recorded
using
a
mobile
phone
camera
and
the
subsequent
analysis
done
using
the
open-source
PIVlab
software.
Velocity
data
has
been
obtained
and
additional
analysis
done
to
illustrate
concepts
such
vorticity
within
the flow.
It
is
envisioned
that
this
work
will
help
to
stir
conversation
and
research
around context-relevant or discipline-relevant uses of low-cost PIV as a tool to
enhance the delivery of Fluid Dynamics.
