Study of Environmental Fluid Mechanics Using State-of-the-Art Experimental Techniques and Instrumentation

Abstract

Experimental fluid mechanics has always been an important branch of fluid mechanics to study the complex nature of fluid flows that often do not yield simple analytical descriptions. During recent decades, advanced experimental techniques such as optical techniques for water wave study, laser doppler velocimetry ~LDV! and particle image velocimetry ~PIV! for turbulence research, and laser-induced-fluorescent technique ~LIF! for mixing studies have been developed at leading universities and research institutes around the world. In addition, new field techniques utilizing remotely controlled data logging through telemetry have been developed for monitoring waves, currents, bridge scour, and sediment transport. This special issue is intended to collect papers to review recent advances in experimental techniques and to introduce and promote the development of advanced experimental instrumentation for both teaching and research in environmental fluid mechanics. This special volume consists of papers written by leading researchers in experimental fluid mechanics and lab/field measurements with applications to water waves ~‘‘PIV measurements