Density Current Flume

The Density Current Flume has been used primarily in research of density driven flows. The flume measures 14.5-m long, 1.2-m deep, and 0.45-m wide. An 830 liter head tank is located at the upstream end of the flume; a stainless steel sluice gate separates the head tank from the rest of the flume and can be used to confine the initial height of a density flow during an experiment. A 17,400 liter receiving tank is located at the downstream end of the flume and is used to collect sediment during experiments.

In its current configuration, the flume has a false bottom installed at a 5% slope – this slope can be varied from 0% to approximately 8%.

Past research in this facility includes experiments on self-accelerating turbidity currents1, deep sea sedimentary deposits2, 3, and saline underflows over movable beds4.

 View of density current flume

View of density current flume

Green-dyed saline density current ponding behind wier

Green-dyed saline density current ponding behind wier

 

Green-dyed saline density current with three layers (top water, middle moderate-density saline, bottom high-density saline)

Green-dyed saline density current with three layers (top water, middle moderate-density saline, bottom high-density saline)

 

1 Sequeiros OE, Naruse H, Endo N, Garcia MH and Parker G. 2009. Experimental study on self-accelerating turbidity currents. Journal of Geophysical Research – Oceans, 114, C05025

2 Sequeiros OE, Spinewine B, Garcia MH, Beaubouef RT, Sun T, Parker G. 2009. Experiments on Wedge-Shaped Deep Sea Sedimentary Deposits in Minibasins and/or on Channel Levees Emplaced by Turbidity Currents. Part I: Documentation of the Flow Journal of Sedimentary Research, 79(7-8), 593-607.

3 Sequeiros OE, Spinewind B, Garcia MH, Beaubouef RT, Sun T, Parker G. 2009. Experiments on Wedge-Shaped Deep Sea Sedimentary Deposits in Minibasins and/or on Channel Levees Emplaced by Turbidity Currents. Part II Morphodynamic Evolution of the Wedge and of the Associated Bedforms. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 79(7- 8), 608-628.

4 Sequeiros OE, Spinewind B, Beaubouef RT, Sun T, Garcia MH, Parker G. 2010. Characteristics of Velocity and Excess Density Profiles of Saline Underflows and Turbidity Currents Flowing over a Mobile Bed. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 136(7), 412-433.