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The two-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV) data are inevitably contaminated by noise due to various imperfections in instrumentation or algorithm, based on which the well-established vortex identification methods often yield noise or incomplete vortex structure with a jagged boundary. To make up this deficiency, a novel method was proposed in this paper and the efficiency of the new method was demonstrated by its applications in extracting the two-dimensional spanwise vortex structures from 2D PIV data in open-channel flows. The new method takes up a single vortex structure by combining model matching and vorticity filtering, and successfully locates the vortex core and draws a streamlined vortex boundary. The new method shows promise as being more effective than commonly used schemes in open-channel flow applications.

An experimental apparatus driven by horizontal oscillating grids in a water tank is proposed for generating shear-free turbulence, which is measured using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The performances of the proposed apparatus are investigated through the instantaneous and root-mean-square (RMS) velocity, Reynolds stress, length and time scale, frequency spectra and dissipation rate. Results indicate that the turbulence at the core region of the water tank, probably 8 cm in length, is identified to be shear-free. The main advantage of the turbulence driven by horizontal oscillating mode is that the ratios of the longitudinal turbulent intensities to the vertical values are between 1.5 and 2.0, consistent with those ratios in open-channel flows. Additionally, the range of the length scale can span the typical sizes of suspended particles in natural environments, and the dissipation rate also agrees with those found in natural environments. For convenience of experimental use, a formula is suggested to calculate the RMS flow velocity, which is linearly proportional to the product of oscillating stroke and frequency. The proposed experimental method in this study appears to be more appropriate than the traditional vertical oscillating mode for studying the fundamental mechanisms of vertical migratory behavior of suspended particles and contaminants in turbulent flows.

The Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) is suffering from unexpected fine sediment deposition, to better understand the fine sediment transport processes, field measurements were conducted at the Zhongxian and Fengjie reaches. A method based on the sediment diffusion equation was proposed to measure the settling velocities using the Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV). The backscatter acoustic intensities (BSI) received from the ADV were calibrated against the sediment concentrations measured via water sampling, suggesting a linear relationship in double logarithmic coordinate system. The instantaneous sediment concentration was calculated using the derived relationship, and then the settling velocity was obtained through the proposed procedure. The settling velocities of the fine particles in the TGR were found to vary with the water depth. Most of the effective settling velocities were within the range of 0.1–10 mm/s, which were larger than those of the primary particles, indicating that the flocculation was likely to occur in the TGR. Additionally, it is suggested that the turbulent motion played an important role in the flocculation in the TGR.

Sedimentation in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) has been studied with a primary focus on the amount due to the decrease in sediment inflow caused by water and soil conservation projects a...