Abstract:
A small-scale wave flume was designed and constructed for the Swarthmore College Engineering Department. Wave flumes are used in laboratories to conduct studies on fluid dynamics, wave theory, sediment transport, and near-shore and ocean processes. The wave flume contains an electromechanically driven piston-type wave-maker to generate water waves. The wave flume is constructed from 1/2 in. thick Plexiglass® sheets and utilizes part of a tank previously constructed and in storage. The 23 ft.-1/8 in. long, 21-7/8 in. high, and 10 in. wide wave flume is supported on a Unistrut™ metal framing substructure. A piston-type wave-maker constructed of Plexiglass® produces the waves and is driven by an Animatics SmartMotor and actuator system that enables the generation of arbitrary waveforms. Additionally, a removable beach was constructed to dissipate the wave energy at the end of the wave flume, opposite of the wave-maker. Given the dimensions of the flume and motor characteristics, waves with a period ranging from 0.312 s to 3.37 s and a wavelength from 6 in. to 132 in. in water from 4 in. to 18 in. may be produced.
