Techniques of Flow Visualization: A Discussion of the Fundamentals with Examples of Techniques Used in Research

This article deals with the joint use of two branches of Physics for the solution of flow problems. These two branches arc Optics and Fluid Mechanics. The basic principles of Optics arc employed in the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory to provide insight into the flow of liquids and gases. Only techniques used in incompressible flow arc discussed: emphasis being laid on those useful in ‘free surface’ and ‘boundary’ type problems. Basic principles of similarity and optics are described and a brief appraisal of some of the methods is attempted, illustrated by experiments carried out in the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory of the Melbourne Technical College. Two techniques which are frequently used in problems of incompressible flow receive fairly detailed treatment; these are the fluid photo‐elastic apparatus and the smoke generator.