About
The WEM Hydraulics Laboratory covers an area of 1800 square meters with a major portion reserved for carrying out large physical modelling experiments such as spillways, intakes, outlets, diversion tunnels, stilling basins, fish ladders, pumping stations, and other hydraulic structures.
The Laboratory is equipped with facilities for experimental work on open channel flow, sediment transport, wave motion, river and estuary models, and hydraulic structures. A large wave basin provides facilities for studying coastal processes. A 54-meter long towing tank is available for current meter calibration and flow resistance studies. Several flumes of various sizes and lengths form part of the permanent set-ups of the Hydraulics Laboratory. An elevated tank 10 meters high supplied by various pumps provides the constant water supply (max 550 lps) for most set-ups in the laboratory. A large underground sump (500m3) also provides the required water volume for all experimental needs.
A range of instruments is also available for general flow measurements and for advanced measurements where turbulent quantities are required. Instruments for laboratory and fieldwork includes Wave Height meters, Acoustic Dopplers Velocimeters (ADV), Electromagnetic Current Meters (ECM), Mechanical type current meters, sediment samplers (suspended load and bed load) pressure transducers and data loggers,. In addition, the laboratory is equipped with an electronic data acquisition system using National Instruments’ A/D boards and LabVIEW software.
