Use
Current flumes are used to conduct research on topics such as current patterns, head losses, bed-load transport, stilling basin design, fish passes, flood control areas (FCA), reduced tidal areas (RTA), etc.
The following types are in use at Flanders Hydraulics:
Description
Our largest flow flume with a length of 56 m and width of 2.40 m.
Dimensions
- length: 56.20 m;
- width: 2.40 m;
- height: 1.45 m (max. water depth 1.30 m)
- max. discharge 1000 l/s
Key features
The size of the flume: length 56.20 m and width 2.40 m. The downstream water level can be regulated by a tilting weir.
If required for a certain project, the test section can be narrowed locally or the maximum discharge can be increased.
Testing possibilities
Due to its length and width the flume is suitable for large scale research, for example erosion measurements, validation of measurement set-up’s, part of hydraulic constructions. A section of the flume is equipped with glass walls to allow for good visibility to the experiment.
Description
A large flow flume built from modular elements, a concept developed at Flanders Hydraulics. The modularity of this flowflume makes it possible to adapt the angles, dimensions and characteristics of the flume to the test program.The discharge is provided by a frequency controlledpump and the downstream water level is controlled bya tilting weir.
Present dimensions
- length: 27.00 m;
- width: 0.75 m (variable between 0.2 and 1 m, optionally wider);
- height: 1.50 m (max. waterdepth 1.45 m);
- discharge: min. 16 l/s, max. 275 l/s.
Key features
Both side walls of the flume are transparent (glass). To allow for better optical measurements, one side wall of the flume can be equipped with backlights over the full length of the flume. The flume is equipped with 11 camera’s to capture the flow pattern over the full length of the flume. In addition, measurements with a high speed camera and a 2D lidar recording of the waterline can be performed.
Due to its modularity both length and width can be adjusted and the flume itself can be placed at an angle. The pump system can be optimized for a specific project.
Testing possibilities
Research on specific topics such as current patterns, overflow levees, in- and outlet sluices, stilling basin design, weirs, vertical slot fish passages, …
Description
A small closed-loop flow flume with maximum visualaccessibility for performing optical flow visualizationmeasurements like PTV and PIV.
Dimensions
- length: 4.0 m;
- width: 0.40 m;
- Height: 0.40 m;
- Discharge: 1.6 l/s till 32 l/s.
Key features
The model can be configured as a closed conduit as wellas a model with free surface.
The flume is currently equipped with a LaVision MiniShaker for performing 3D PTV time resolved measurements. Theoptical rail along the flume allows for other setups aswell, for example a high speed camera.
Testing possibilities
Both hydraulic optimization of, parts of, hydraulic structures as fundamental research.
Due to the possibility to measure a 3D PTV time resolved flow pattern the model is ideal for validating CFD simulations.
The model can easily be modified to replace the rectangular section by a specific geometry (manifold,….) or by another flume (circular, …).
