CEE 4370/6370/MAE 6270
This course will introduce students to the methods and techniques of experimental data collection and analysis, in particular as they pertain to turbulent fluid flows. Topics will include: computer based experimental control, analog and digital data acquisition, discrete sampling theory, digital signal processing, uncertainty analysis and canonical turbulent flows, and a variety of specific measurement instrumentation. Instrumentation will include analog transducers (e.g., pressure), single-point acoustic (e.g., acoustic Doppler velocimetry, or ADVs), acoustic profilers (1-D, e.g., acoustic Doppler current profilers, or ADCPs) and full-field (2-D) quantitative imaging techniques (e.g., particle image velocimetry, or PIV, and laser induced fluorescence, or LIF) and most will be introduced in a hands-on way. Laboratory experiments will introduce the specific instrumentation and give students a physical introduction to classic fluid flows such as turbulent boundary layers, turbulent round jets, and turbulent plumes. For the 6XXX versions, students, in consultation with the instructor and the TA, will be required to develop, implement, analyze, and report on a laboratory experiment of their choosing as a final project.
Experimental data acquisition is actually a multi-disciplinary exercise. To perform accurate experiments and truly understand the collected data the investigator relies on knowledge of statistics, discrete Fourier Analysis, wavelets, computer science, and many other specialized subjects depending on the instrumentation involved (optics, acoustics, etc.). The purpose of this course is to give students the basic information and experiences they will need to be able to design a good experiment, accurately acquire experimental data, analyze the data and understand the strengths and limits of the data set they have acquired.