Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Characterization of a Bubble Curtain
for PIV Measurements
R.G. Ramírez de la Torre, D.C. Vargas-Ortega, M.S. Centeno-Sierra,
R. Méndez-Fragoso and C. Stern Forgach
Abstract
In this contribution we present the characterization of a bubble curtain
produced with compressed air. The final goal is to implement a PIV system, with
bubbles as tracers, that will help to understand drag and propulsion of a swimmer
during a dolphin kick. The system will be used directly in a swimming pool. The
first trials were made in a controlled water channel.
1 Introduction
The use of scientific results to improve the performance and efficiency of athletes in
all sports is constantly increasing. In particular, swimming techniques have changed
over the years, not only the biomechanical gestures of the swimmers, but also the
design of the gear they use and the procedures to measure their performance. Its
direct consequence is the continuous reduction in time of the world records (FINA
2013
,
2014
).
This paper describes the development and validation of a non-intrusive method
to determine the velocity field around a swimmer. It provides a quantitative tool to
analyze the flow and gives information needed to modify swimming techniques and
improve performance.
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