ABSTRACT
In the last decades the use of image-based techniques for the monitoring of rivers has substantially increased owing to the development of cameras, smartphones, UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and computer capabilities. The LSPIV (Large Scale Particle Image Velocimetry) method is used for a broad range of flow conditions, from small-scale experiments in laboratories to large-scale observations. Fudaa-LSPIV has been developed in order to provide a free user-friendly software to river engineers, students and researchers that makes it possible to assess the velocity field as well as the flow discharge from video. In the recent years, new features have been developed to simplify the software use and improve its efficiency. In particular, a video stabilization module has been coded to avoid spurious velocity components due to camera movements. This paper describes the main features of Fudaa-LSPIV, especially the stabilization algorithm. Then, it underlines the benefits of the latest developments, based on two field applications: high and low flows in gravel bed rivers filmed with a UAV and camera on a 2 m-high pole respectively.
