Research

The C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Lab is home to IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering.

My main research interests are experimental hydraulics and fluid mechanics using non-intrusive measurement techniques and applied hydroinformatics using cyber-tools and functions.

My past research work has revealed promising lines of inquiry into two broad areas of investigation, namely, experimental investigation of turbulent channel flows and development and implementation of non-intrusive flow diagnostics techniques. My interest in the investigation of turbulent channel flows includes the basic flow process, i.e., the relationship between the governing flow parameters and turbulence structure as well as their countless number of practical implications.  Among practical flows that are subject to my current and future research are those in the area of river engineering (sediment transport, hydraulic structures, ice-related processes, erosion) and environmental engineering (aeration, pollutant transport).

My research activity has been considerable enhanced by the use, development, and implementation of non-intrusive flow diagnostics measurement techniques. During my doctoral research, I developed and implemented a non-intrusive Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV)-based technique capable to separately measure particle and liquid velocities in sediment-laden flows, i.e., the Discriminator LDV (DLDV).  Later on, I became part of an international team that developed Large-Scale Particle Image Velocimetry, a very useful tool for measurement of free-surface velocities in laboratory and natural scale open-channel flows.

Currently, I am exploring the capabilities of Particle Tracking Velocimetry to investigate sediment-laden flows using a two-phase flow approach and those of the Acoustic-Doppler Current Profilers to investigate turbulence characteristics in field conditions. Am major on-going activities are related to the identification and implementation of standardized uncertainty analysis methodologies to the area of hydraulics and hydrology.

My most recent research area is hydroinformatics (a.k.a. cyberinfratructure for water-related investigations over large-scales). Special efforts are focused on modern field data acquisition systems, internet-based geodatabases and ancillary cyber-tools for harvesting, storing, handling data, and conduct of uncertainty, risk, and reliability analyses (http://hydroinfo.uiowa.edu).  The practical goals of this research are related with development of eco-hydrologic watershed-scale data and information interactive repositories (http://iowadis.org). The observatories are virtual (digital) environments that aggregate large-scale datasets acquired by sensor networks with results of numerical simulations for conduct of research, education, and supporting the decision making process. These cyber-platforms enable transformative processes for extraction of data and knowledge from the raw data garnered from observatory information and numerical simulations for the benefit of science, practice and society.

Selected Current Research Projects:

• People, Water, and Climate: Adaptation and Resilience in Agricultural Watersheds; Sponsor: NSF (http://iowacedarbasin.org/research/cnh)
• Understanding Human-Water Dynamics with Intelligent Digital Watersheds; Sponsor: NSF (http://iowadis.org/idwdev)
• Performance of the Flow Measurement Methods and Instrumentation, WMO
• Snow Drifting Mitigation for Iowa Roads; Sponsor: IDOT
• Hydraulic modeling of flow through culverts; Sponsors: IDOT, FDOT
• Several research modules on sedimentation at multi-box culverts; Sponsor: Iowa DOT

Selected Past Research Projects:

• U.S.-Egypt Workshop: Broadening the Role of Cyberinfrastructure in Water Resources Management: Coping with the Challenges of Large River Basins, Cairo; Sponsor: NSF
• Review of Diversion Flow Measurements and Accounting Procedures for Lake Michigan Diversion Accounting: Sponsor: USACE
• Evaluation of the Rating Curve Hysteresis Due to Unsteady Channel Flows Using Non-Intrusive Measurements Acquired during the Iowa 2008 Flood: Sponsor: NSF
• Application of Large-Scale Particle Image Velocimetry; Sponsor: SFWMD
• Applicability of Using Q-Liners for ADCP Discharge Measurements under Various Hydrologic Conditions; Sponsor: USGS
• Clear Creek Environmental Hydrologic Observatory: From Vision Toward Reality; Sponsor: NSF
• Toward the Next Generation of Environmental Observatories: Assessment of Challenges and Needs through International Exploratory Collaboration: Sponsor: NSF
• Quantitative Mapping of Waterways Characteristics at Bridge Sites; Sponsor: IDOT
• Prediction of Scour at Bridge Abutments; Sponsor: NCHRP
• Lake-Almanor Feasibility Study: Hydraulic Model, Sponsor: Pacific Gas & Electric (Model, Operation, Results)
• Hydraulic Model Study of East Kentucky Power Cooperative’s E.A. Gilbert Unit 3 Circulating Water Pumps
• PIV Studies to Determine Scale Effects in Small-Scale Models of Flow Fields at Dikes and Bendway Weirs; Sponsor: USACE
• Application of PIV and Numerical Modeling to Coastal Marshes; Sponsor: USWL
• Hydraulic Model Study of Water-Intake Forebay, Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant, Kewaunee, WI; Sponsor: WPS Co.