Stereoscopic PIV: validation and application to an isotropic turbulent flow

 A new stereoscopic PIV system to measure the three velocity components is developed and applied to grid turbulence flows. This system uses two CCD cameras coupled with an accurate cross-correlation calculation method. An experimental test (based upon three-dimensional displacements) has been carried out to demonstrate the capability of this process to locate the maximum of correlation, and to detect accurately the 3D displacements. Experiments in a well-established turbulent flow have validated the method for quantitative measurements and a comparison with LDV results showed a good agreement in terms of mean and fluctuating velocities. Combined PIV and stereoscopic PIV measurements on a turbulent flow revealed the need to the stereoscopic systems to measure accurate 2D velocity fields. It has been shown that an error of up to 10% in the velocity fluctuation measured by conventional PIV could be attained due to 3D effects in highly turbulent cases. Finally, the digital cross-correlation technique adapted to the determination of small displacements seems to be the most suitable technique for stereoscopic PIV. Received: 22 July 1997/Accepted: 27 January 1998