Coastal Engineering Tank

Ocean engineering students use this facility to study the effects of wave action on coastlines and coastal structures. The L-shaped tank is equipped with a wavemaker. Breakwaters, jetties, groins, and harbors can be designed, and their effectiveness evaluated. A moveable bridge structure serves as an observation platform, and as a mounting surface for instrumentation. The Laboratory also includes equipment for the study of the basic principles of soil mechanics as applied to coastal sediments. The tank is currently subdivided with a main test section, 52 ft long and 18 ft wide, containing a solid beach at a 1 to 10 slope.

Length(Long Side) = 52 ft
Length(Short Side) = 39 ft
Width = 48 ft
Depth of Water = .5 to 2 ft

WAVE GENERATION CAPABILITY:

regular, irregular waves, wave frequency range 0.2 to 1.5 Hz

WAVEMAKER TYPE:

piston type servo-hydraulic control, manufacture by MTS

BEACH TYPE AND LENGTH:

impermeable beach, 20 ft long on 1-to-10 slope

INSTRUMENTATION:

variable reluctance force blocks for all force measurements, ultrasonic and resistance wave height gauges

TESTS PERFORMED:

wave breaking, wave runup, wave transmission past coastal structures