3 m wave flume
The Water Research Laboratory’s 3 m wave flume is one of the largest flumes in Australia. It is 32.5 m long by 3 m wide by 1.3 m deep and has a level floor. The size of the flume means that quasi three-dimensional tests of structures such as breakwater heads can be undertaken at large scale without the expense of a fully three-dimensional basin model. Subject to the required water depth and wave period, the 3 m flume can generate waves up to 0.4 m in height. This allows testing at full or near-full scale for sheltered waterways such as lake shores or riverbanks, and scales in the range of 1:5 to 1:10 for many open coast structures.
The flume is equipped with a HR Wallingford electro-mechanical wave generator (paddle-type). The system can generate both monochromatic and irregular wave spectrums, as well as producing user defined pre-recorded wave sequences. Control signals for the wave paddle are produced and controlled using the HR Merlin software.
A range of data can be collected during experiments in the flume, including wave statistics, wave runup, overtopping rates and depths, forces, and pressures. All electronic sensor units are typically logged using custom produced software packages within the National Instruments platform.
Wave height and water level measurements are made using capacitance wave probes, which are available in a range of lengths from 200 mm to 1500 mm.
Flume specifications
The wave flume has the following characteristics:
- 32.5 m in length, 3 m in width and 1.3 m deep
- State of the art wave making system with 2nd order wave generation and active reflection compensation
- Capable of generating monochromatic, irregular sea states with a range of wave spectral distributions and custom user-defined wave time series (1 m stroke)
- Wave series with significant wave height (Hs) capacity of up to 200 mm and Tp up to 3 s can be generated
- Site specific 2D bathymetric profiles can be modelled to accurately reproduce nearshore wave processes
Example projects
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Wave flume modelling is a unique tool that can be used to replicate extremely complex coastal and hydraulic processes. Ohau Point in New Zealand is one of these locations. In our 3 m wave flume we tested a scale section of 150 m of coastal road, fronted by complex reef bathymetry. The modelling investigated waves and overtopping processes to help improve safety at the turbulent site. Modelled options included crown walls (with extreme wave loading) and concrete armour units (detailed placement and stability assessment).
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WRL conducted several physical modelling projects in collaboration with SMEC for the Port of Townsville Limited, on the coastal defence structures and channel upgrade at Northern Australia’s largest container and automotive port in Queensland.
Breakwater and bund wall upgrades: 2D and quasi-3D physical modelling project to inform design upgrades to an existing breakwater and crest of bund wall. Modelling allowed armour sizing optimisation and design validation.
Channel capacity upgrade: 2D, quasi-3D and full 3D physical modelling for a navigation channel expansion and land reclamation project. The modelling included analysis and optimisation of rock armoured revetment structures, as well as analysis of wave amplification effects associated with the modified navigation channel alignment.
