Abstract
A new technology to estimate velocity fields very close to a ridged wall by using a sequence of thermal images of the wall is proposed. We call this method Thermal Image Velocimetry (TIV). The principle TIV is the same as PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) but utilizing thermal images instead of particle images. Although TIV can potentially obtain highly fluctuated turbulent fields, the surface temperature (ST) of the target wall should be sensitive to the velocity fluctuation nearby. We apply TIV to a building wall and discuss the performance of TIV. Insulation panels, StyrofoamTM, are attached on the target wall. StyrofoamTM decreases the volumetric heat capacity of the surface thereby increasing the sensitivity of ST to velocity fluctuations. The wind variations estimated by TIV correlate very well with those observed by a sonic anemometer.
