Peregrine falcon wakes examined using Volumetric PIV

Abstract

This study presents time-resolved volumetric measurements in the wake of a peregrine falcon model. The experiments were performed in a water flume with a freestream velocity of 10 cm/s and at an angle of 3.25°. The TSI volumetric PIV system, using Insight V3V-4G software, was used to capture the time-resolved volumetric flow field. The results compare well with previous Stereo PIV measurements; however, the present results also provide true 3-dimensional flow field information which helps decode the reason for the superior maneuverability. This is attributable to the vortex dominated flow field promoted by its morphology.