Characterizing transverse surface velocity profiles in water table experiments

from qualitative visualization to quantitative analysis

Authors

  • Emanuel Kallyohan Soares Gonçalves Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo e de Design da Universidade de São Paulo (FAU-USP)
  • Fábio Cunha Lofrano Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (EPUSP)
  • André Luiz Marguti Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (EPUSP)
  • Michele Marta Rossi Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo e de Design da Universidade de São Paulo (FAU-USP)

Keywords:

Natural ventilation, Free-surface flow, Boundary layer, Obstruction rate, Teaching tools

Abstract

Water table experiments have been applied as qualitative tools for natural ventilation assessment in architectural design. However, methodological consolidation for establishing them as quantitative analysis instruments remains incomplete, particularly regarding boundary condition definition and similarity requirements. This study characterizes surface velocity profiles in water table experiments through floater-based measurement, an economically accessible technique grounded in hydrometric standards, to verify whether transverse surface velocity variation conforms to open-channel hydraulic theory predictions. Diverse flow rates and transverse positions were evaluated using cubic and hemispherical test body geometries. Statistical analysis confirmed significant velocity reduction toward channel walls, consistent with boundary layer development principles and secondary current effects documented in open-channel flow theory. The cubic body exhibited more consistent measurement patterns, while the hemispherical body demonstrated higher mean velocities but greater variance, suggesting trade-offs between kinematic representation and measurement reproducibility. Results establish that surface velocity approaches uniformity in the central channel region, enabling identification of appropriate model placement zones and defensible obstruction rates. Integration with hydraulic theory, particularly velocity dip and aspect ratio effects, grounds results in established principles.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Emanuel Kallyohan Soares Gonçalves, Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo e de Design da Universidade de São Paulo (FAU-USP)

Aluno de graduação da Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo e de Design da Universidade de São Paulo (FAU-USP)

Fábio Cunha Lofrano, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (EPUSP)

Professor Doutor do Departamento de Engenharia Hidráulica e Ambiental (PHA) da Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (EPUSP).

André Luiz Marguti, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (EPUSP)

Professor Doutor do Departamento de Engenharia Hidráulica e Ambiental da Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (EPUSP).

Michele Marta Rossi, Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo e de Design da Universidade de São Paulo (FAU-USP)

Professora Doutora no Departamento de Tecnologia (AUT) da Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo e de Design da Universidade de São Paulo (FAU-USP).

Downloads

Published

2026-05-08

How to Cite

GONÇALVES, Emanuel Kallyohan Soares; LOFRANO, Fábio Cunha; MARGUTI, André Luiz; ROSSI, Michele Marta. Characterizing transverse surface velocity profiles in water table experiments: from qualitative visualization to quantitative analysis. Ambiente Construído, [S. l.], v. 26, 2026. Disponível em: https://seer.ufrgs.br/index.php/ambienteconstruido/article/view/151423. Acesso em: 11 aug. 2026.

Issue

Section

Edição especial ENCAC 2025

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles

> >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.