Excel Sheets

Our New Digital Store -> civilmdc.sellix.io

Wave tank demonstration showing the impact of coastal defenses on flood risk

Wave tank

The portable wave tank demonstration shows the performance of coastal defenses under different wave conditions.

Background

The wave tank shows how different combinations of coastal defences and wave and tide conditions affect the potential for overtopping and flood risk.

Over-topping  rates  can  be  measured  for the following defences and conditions:

  • beach during a storm surge
  • vertical and recurved sea walls
  • stepped and sloped revetments
  • rock armour
  • submerged near-shore breakwater

Full video on Wave Tank

In this video Daniel Rodger from Jeremy Benn Pacific uses the wave tank to demonstrate how effective different types and combinations of coastal defences are at preventing wave overtopping and flood risk.

The demonstration measures the rates of overtopping for the following defences and conditions:

  • beach during a storm surge
  • vertical and recurved sea walls (with and without a beach)
  • stepped and sloped revetments
  • rock armour
  • submerged near-shore breakwater

The prototype wave tank was developed in 2015 with a team of PhD students from the Fluid Dynamics Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) at the University of Leeds, the Coastal Risk Management team at JBA Consulting and Hydrotec Ltd.  We then continued to work with Hydrotec Ltd who used the prototype designs to fabricate the final wave tank.

We have recently upgraded the paddle mechanism to good old fashioned hand power using a cam and wedge system (see photo below).  We find that this is a great way of encouraging audience participation, and is more reliable and robust than the electrically powered paddle system used in in the film.  It also reduces the risks associated with water and electricity being in close proximity.

Students practice their wave tank demonstration skills

Students practice their wave tank demonstration skills

Generating waves

The wave paddle is powered sustainably by people and uses a cam and wedge system (as shown in photos to the right).

This system is an excellent way of encouraging audience participation, and is more reliable and robust than the electronic system used in in the film.

It  also  reduces  the  risks  associated  with

water and electricity being in close proximity.

Facilities required

Access to water. The wave tank needs about 25 litres of water (plus some extra for climate change scenarios!).

Access to a drain. The water can be emptied into a bucket and then carried to the nearest drain.

Space to set up the tank on either a table or

trestles.

Specifications

The tank is made from 10mm Perspex sheets which are connected together with a solvent based acrylic glue.

Tank dimensions: 1,500 x 200 x 400mm

There are drain taps at each end of the tank to take the overtopping measurement (coastal defences end) and drain the tank (paddle end).

Factsheet:  Dimensions, demonstration requirements and other vital statistics for the wave tank are available in this factsheet.

Wave tank snip
admin
We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

Excel Sheets
Logo
Enable registration in settings - general
Compare items
  • Total (0)
Compare
0