An airborne acoustic method to monitor the hydraulic characteristics of shallow water flows

摘要

This work investigates acoustic scattering of a monochromatic ultrasonic wave by a dynamically rough air-water interface. The recorded directivity of the scattered acoustic intensity field and its relation to the RMS roughness height of the dynamically rough interface are studied. It is shown that the measured surface roughness relates to the mean flow velocity and hydraulic roughness. This acoustic measurement method would allow for remote real-time monitoring of the conditions of channel flows and provide an early warning system in the event of waterway failure, excessive sediment deposition, or flooding.