L-Shaped Flume Wave Basin and
2-ft Flume Facility
At the Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory,
Description
two-dimensional wave flumes and three-dimensional stability wave basins are used for
design validation of coastal structures. An important tangible benefit of verifying designs
in the laboratory is reduction
of future maintenance and
repair costs over the
structure life. In addition,
the risk of catastrophic
failure is greatly reduced.
The L-Shaped flume consists
Specifications
of a 76 m (250 ft) long by
15 m (50 ft) wide, 1.8 m
(6 ft) deep three-dimensional
St. Paul Harbor, St. Paul Island, Alaska physical model study
wave basin with an attached
conducted in Coastal Harbors Modeling Facility
wave flume measuring 61 m
(200 ft) long, 0.41 m (2 ft)
wide, and 1.8 m (6 ft) deep.
For both flumes, irregular
waves can be generated by
computer-controlled,
L-Shaped and 2-ft Flume located in building 3046
electro-hydraulic wave
generators. The wave
generators are capable of
creating a maximum wave height of 0.61 m (2 ft) with a 0.91 m (3 ft) stroke, and wave
periods 0.50-10.0 secs. The facility includes an automated data acquisition and control
system, and features local steady current capabilities. The L-shaped end of the basin
contains a shallow-sloping rock absorber to prevent unnatural wave refraction effects in
the model, hence the name L-Shaped Flume.
Laboratory testing allows the structure cross-section and plan design to be optimized
Benefits
resulting in substantial cost savings in construction. In addition, life-cycle performance
and reliability can be quantified. Construction practices and sequencing can also be
investigated.
These facilities have been used for several decades to investigate design of all types of
Application
structures from floating breakwaters to jetty deterioration. Recent supported studies
include the Yaquina, WA, jetty stability, RIB floating breakwater, generalized dolos
structural tests, generalized Core-Loc stability tests, and Crescent City, CA, breakwater
stability and structural response tests.
Dr. Jeffrey A. Melby, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center,
Point of Contact
ATTN: CEERD-HN-H, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199;
e-mail: . Additional information can be
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
January 2005
Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (Facility)
www.erdc.usace.army.mil
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