Error analysis for PIV recording utilizing image shifting

Abstract

The development of high-performance image shifting systems has led to an increased potential for applying particle image velocimetry (PIV) to the widest variety of flows. More and more frequently, the instantaneous velocity vector fields measured with PIV are compared with the results of numerical calculations. However, it is very important for a meaningful comparison to have as much information as possible about the errors, which are inevitable involved in every experimental investigation. Several papers have been presented in the last years illuminating the different aspects of the accuracy of the PIV technique as a whole or for the evaluationsystem only. In the following article the main error sources which depend on the recording parameters, especially if utilizing image shifting, will be discussed. A number of experimental and theoreticalsimulations were made to show the main influence of the parameters qualitatively and quantitatively.