Flumes
Fluvial Hydraulics Tilting Flume (CIV)
The CIV facility is a large-scale flume designed to study sediment transport and flow dynamics in river systems. With a movable bed and advanced equipment, it enables assessments of flow depths, velocities, turbulence, sediment transport, and scouring patterns. The controlled environment allows for the simulation of real-world flood conditions, aiding in flood prediction, prevention, and mitigation. Research conducted at CIV enhances understanding of sediment deposition, erosion, and transport, informing better management of hydraulic structures like dams, weirs, and bridges. This knowledge supports sustainable river management, infrastructure stability, and aquatic ecosystem protection.
The CIV facility features a 40-meter-long, glass-sided tilting flume with a 2.0-meter-wide by 1.0-meter-deep cross-section and an adjustable slope from 0% to 2.5%. Its closed hydraulic circuit, with a discharge capacity of 0.1 to 1.0 m³/s, enables precise replication of diverse flow conditions. The facility supports controlled water and sediment recirculation, facilitating accurate sediment transport studies.
Compound Channel Flume
This facility allows to study hydraulic flow dynamics in riverbed and on floodplains, under different setups and geometrical configurations. Different floodplain occupation such as several types of vegetation (grass, trees, buildings), can be analysed. The evaluation of flow depths, velocities, and turbulent characteristics for different conditions may be used to:
- Characterize the effect of different floodplain occupation in the conveyance capacity;
- Describe the flow mechanisms for different geometrical channel characteristics;
- Support numerical modelling of flood waves propagation.
The Compound Channel flume is a 10 m long and 2 m wide recirculating channel constructed from polished concrete with a bottom slope of 0.0011 m/m. It is designed to study hydraulic flow dynamics, particularly the flow mechanisms when the floodplains are inundated. This is useful for instance to evaluate the conveyance during overbank flows under several conditions.
To perform compound channel experiments, several configurations are possible for the floodplain: i) original smooth channel bed; ii) synthetic grass channel bed; iii) vegetation elements with or without foliage in the interface, and iv) obstacles placed in the floodplains. The facility has all the resources necessary to conduct experiments. Flows are monitored with two flowmeters; ultrasonic probes are available for water depth measurement, and ADV allows the measurement of velocities and turbulent intensities.
Fishway Tilting Flume
This large-scale, pool-type fishway flume is designed to study fish behavior and flow hydrodynamics in various passage configurations through hydraulic structures like weirs and dams, aiming to improve river connectivity. By simulating different passage conditions it enables researchers to assess fishway effectiveness, providing insights into fish movement, swimming capabilities, and passage efficiency.
The facility features a 10-meter-long, 1.0-meter-wide, and 1.2-meter-high flume with an adjustable slope, glass-viewing panels for direct observation, and a 4.0 × 3.0 × 4.0-meter acclimation chamber. Adjustable slot gates regulate discharge and water levels, while the main channel allows for the placement of hydraulic structures.
Turbidity Currents Facility
The experimental facility was designed to simulate sediment-laden flows entering a reservoir and plunging beneath the clear water, forming a dense underflow (turbidity current) that travels downstream along the bottom of the reservoir. This facility allows the study of the hydrodynamics of turbidity currents, their interaction with structures, and measures to control sediment deposition in reservoirs.
The channel is 0.30 m wide, 16.45 m long and 0.75 m deep (maximum). An upstream 4.04 m long reach with a bottom slope of 0.8º simulates the river approaching a reservoir. An abrupt change in the bottom profile is produced by a ramp with a slope of 30º, representing the steepness of the front delta deposits in the upper part of the reservoir. Downstream, an 8 m long reach with a slope of 0.8º and a final horizontal 3.75 m long bed formed the reservoir in which turbidity currents develop. Adjacent to the flume, a mixing tank with a maximum capacity of 2.95 m3 is used to prepare and store the mixture of water and sediment.
