Validation experiments of Ultrasound Image Velocimetry (UIV) applied in cohesive sediments (fluid mud)

A standard ultrasound imaging transducer was towed trough mud at known velocities. During this movement ultrasound images were acquired at high frequency (+/- 350 Hz). Based on these images the relative velocity between the transducer and the mud was deduced using the OpenPIV script (Python version). The output was compared to the imposed velocity of the transducer to validate the accurcy of the UIV technique applied in mud. This was done for various velocities ranging from 500 mm/s to 1750 mm/s in increments of 250 mm/s. The density of the mud was fixed at 1.15 g/cm³ and the ultrasound frequency to 3.5 MHz. The combination of PIV algorithm applied to ultrasound images is referred to as Ultrasound Image Velocimetry (UIV).