The department has a dedicated fluid mechanics laboratory that supports its undergraduate teaching, postgraduate and staff research.
The research facilities range from traditional large-scale flumes for open channel flow simulations, to smaller-scale tanks and flumes used for environmental fluid mechanics research.
Much of the current work in the laboratory uses advanced optical techniques for quantitative measurement of flow properties. These methods, which include laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and particle tracking velocimetry (PTV), require blackout conditions and specialised light sources.
Examples of some of the larger pieces of experimental apparatus include:
- the 12m long and 560mm wide main flume, used for undergraduate teaching and postgraduate research, connects to a 10m constant head recirculating system. The flume was originally built for an experimental study of open-channel turbulent dispersion
- a new 15m long, 250mm wide and 500mm deep Perspex flume used for environmental fluid mechanics research. Currently a study into the structure of free surface gravity currents is happening in the flume
- a 6m long, 1.5m wide and 1m deep towing tank. A computer-controlled trolley can tow a model ocean outfall through the still surrounding fluid, simulating the behaviour of a real ocean outfall in a moving environment. Currently the tank is being used in a study of the effect of mussel farms on tidal flows
- a 5m long, 250mm wide and 400mm deep tilting flume has been used in a number of experimental studies exploring the behaviour of intrusive gravity currents.
