Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The influence of peak-locking errors on turbulence statistics computed from PIV ensembles

  • Original
  • Published:
Experiments in Fluids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The influence of peak-locking errors on turbulence statistics computed from ensembles of PIV data is considered. PIV measurements are made in the streamwise–wall-normal plane of turbulent channel flow. The PIV images are interrogated in three distinct ways, generating ensembles of velocity fields with absolute, moderate, and minimal peak locking. Turbulence statistics computed for all three ensembles of data indicate a general sensitivity to peak locking in the single-point statistics, except for the mean velocity profile. Peak-locking errors propagate into the fluctuations of velocity, rendering single-point statistics inaccurate when severe peak locking is present. Multi-point correlations of both streamwise and wall-normal velocity are also found to be influenced by severe levels of peak locking. The displacement range of the measurement, defined by the PIV time delay, appears to affect the influence of peak-locking errors on turbulence statistics. Smaller displacement ranges, particularly those that produce displacement fluctuations that are less than one pixel in magnitude, yield inaccurate turbulence statistics in the presence of peak locking.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5a, b.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 8.
Fig. 9.
Fig. 10a–c.
Fig. 11a–c.
Fig. 12.
Fig. 13a, b.
Fig. 14.
Fig. 15.
Fig. 16.
Fig. 17a–c.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Christensen KT (2001) Experimental investigation of acceleration and velocity fields in turbulent channel flow. PhD thesis, Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Ill.

  • Christensen KT, Adrian RJ (2002) Measurement of instantaneous Eulerian acceleration fields by particle-image accelerometry: method and accuracy. Exp Fluids 33(6):759–769

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen KT, Soloff SM, Adrian RJ (2000) PIV sleuth: integrated particle-image velocimetry (PIV) interrogation/validation software. Technical Report 943, Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Ill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang H, Dabiri D, Gharib M (1997) On errors of digital particle image velocimetry. Meas Sci Tech 8(12):1427–1440

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Langford J, Moser RD (1999) Optimal LES formulations for isoptropic turbulence. J Fluid Mech 398:109–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reuss DL, Adrian RJ, Landreth CC, French DT, Fansler TD (1989) Instantaneous planar measurements of velocity and large-scale vorticity and strain in an engine using particle-image velocimetry. Technical report, Society of Automotive Engineers

  • Roesgen T (2003) Optimal subpixel interpolation in particle image velocimetry. Exp Fluids 35(3):252–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westerweel J (1997) Fundamentals of digital particle image velocimetry. Meas Sci Tech 8:1379–1392

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Dr. Wing Lai of TSI, Inc. for generously loaning the PIV equipment used in this study. This effort was financially supported by The University of New Mexico. The author would also like to thank the referees for their insightful comments and suggestions.

Author information

Author notes

  1. K. T. Christensen

    Present address: Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA

    K. T. Christensen

Authors
  1. K. T. Christensen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. T. Christensen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Christensen, K.T. The influence of peak-locking errors on turbulence statistics computed from PIV ensembles. Exp Fluids 36, 484–497 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-003-0754-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-003-0754-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation