Short Description
In recent years, it has become apparent that approaches developed at very small modelling scales in particular can result in significant differences to nature. This increases the importance of large-scale experiments up to 1:1, which can model turbulence, coherent structures, sediment transport, morphodynamics as well as measures in the areas of hydropower, navigation or flood risk management in a more natural way. The interaction of vegetation with currents or sediment transport, the impact of hydraulic engineering measures on fish or the risk of people drifting away during floods cannot be investigated at all or only to a very limited extent at small scales.
The new BOKU hydraulic engineering laboratory therefore enables experiments to be carried out on a scale of up to 1:1 using a free-flow rate of up to 10 m³/s through the difference in water level between the Danube and the Danube Canal of 3 to 3.5 metres. Together with model tests on a smaller scale with drinking water, this results in a family of scales that allows in-depth insights into processes as well as their mathematical description.
Contact Person
Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Dr. h.c. Helmut Habersack
Research Services
- Modern hydraulic engineering laboratory in Vienna with supply from the Danube (research channel, opened in 2015), built on an island between the Danube and Danube Canal on the Brigittenauer Sporn, which has the world's largest free-flow laboratory flow of up to 10 m³/s (extraction without pumping from the Danube → low costs and high benefits), meets the requirements of the planned research topics (size, laboratory flow, equipment, workshops, etc.).
- Linking of "indoor", "outdoor" and "virtual stream labs" (laboratory flumes and models can be operated both indoors and outdoors and function as hybrid models in interaction with computer models). This makes it possible to realise experiments with natural inflow on a scale of up to 1:1
- Different focal points are formed on several spatial levels, which can also be distinguished in the size and type of channels and possible model experiments (variable model flow, solids transport, width, depth, inclination, etc.).
- By improving the understanding of the process within the framework of physical model experiments, the development of numerical computer models is possible - this results in a useful extension of the laboratory activities
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
The hydraulic engineering laboratory research infrastructure consists of the following technically relevant parts:
- Main Channel
- River Lab
- Public Lab
- Outdoor Lab
The Main Channel (MC) forms the centrepiece of the hydraulic engineering laboratory. The large flow rate (up to 10 m³/s without pumping) allows practice-oriented model experiments, as a very large model scale of up to 1:1 is possible, which is particularly important for experiments with sediment transport, vegetation or fish in order to obtain a representation of nature in accordance with the model laws (e.g. prevention of cohesive behaviour of fine material). The Main Channel is 90 metres long and 25 metres wide. The so-called "Big Flume" is integrated in the area of the MC, which is currently set to a width of approx. 5 metres, but can be widened to a total of almost 25 metres via a flexible wall. A hydropower test stand is also integrated, which makes it possible to use the drop height of 3 to 3.5 m and the flow rate of 10 m³/s to carry out development work, optimise the efficiency and ecological alignment of hydropower plants. The hydropower test rig offers the possibility of testing and optimising turbines (including inflow and outflow, generator, etc.) of various types, whereby the electricity generated during tests can be used for own consumption.
In the River Lab, various complex hydraulic models are constructed on variable scales, which can be dismantled or rebuilt after a successful test run and are thus available for other issues. These models analyse hydraulic requirements under controlled conditions prior to the construction of hydraulic engineering facilities, which are generally expensive and require intensive planning, and thus provide the basis for good planning. In these model tests, miniaturised images of nature are created for problem areas such as flood protection, river morphology, sediment transport, ecology, hydropower plants, river structures and navigation. A separate water cycle is planned for this purpose, which will enable experiments with pure water (the building is designed for 1 m³/s, currently 470 l/s are available, which are pumped from the clear water tank under the Main Channel). Various measuring devices are available for measurements and test documentation, e.g. for measuring the flow velocity and water level using semi-automatic or fully automatic systems (including tomographic PIV).
The Public Lab is located next to a large lecture theatre with space for up to 200 people, where subject-specific events are held alongside teaching and where space and technology are available for video conferences. In addition, videos and films on the subject of water and rivers can be shown to reach interested members of the public. In future, the Public Lab itself will serve to transfer knowledge from water research through small-scale physical models and a water exhibition. The Public Lab thus offers visitors and interested parties the opportunity to find out about research and processes in flowing waters. This area will be available to students and schoolchildren and will be used interactively for further education programmes for teachers.
An outdoor lab is available for outdoor modelling studies. In general, the interactions between runoff, sediment transport and river morphology as well as the interactions between abiotics and biotics and the effects of measures on groundwater, fish, macrozoobenthos and vegetation can be investigated here.