Analysis and alternatives in two-dimensional multigrid particle image velocimetry methods:: application of a dedicated weighting function and symmetric direct correlation

Multigrid particle image velocimetry (PIV) is an open path in the search for high-resolution PIV methods. It is-based on an iterative scheme that uses the information of initial processing to adapt the method parameters in order to improve the measurements. This is mainly performed by reducing the size of the interrogation windows and shifting them. In multigrid PIV, two sources of error can significantly affect the final measurement quality: (1) the error coming from the amplitude response of the initial large interrogation windows to spatial frequencies; (2) the error originating from the truncation of particles at the borders of the final small interrogation windows. By applying weighting functions and using symmetric direct correlation both errors can be reduced, respectively. These techniques have been separately tested in the past, but a joint implementation has not yet been analysed. This task is fulfilled and both sources of error are further clarified. For this purpose, a one-dimensional single wavelength displacement field is used. This gives us the opportunity to analyse the non-linear behaviour of PIV, together with the influence of basic parameters on it. In addition to this, the multigrid method, so far described, is enhanced by compensation of the particle pattern deformation. The metrological performance of this advanced method is tested using synthetic images and the results are compared with those delivered by established PIV methods. Coherence between these results and those obtained in a real image is also detailed.