Model Basin

The VTCHL is in the process of constructing a model basin for the lab. The basin will measure approximately 12-m long, 4.3-m wide, and 1.2-m deep and is intended to be used for future model studies. Currently funded research for the basin includes a bridge pier scour study for the Tanana River in Alaska.

Previous basins have included the Chicago River model, Calumet Pumping Station, and a model of canoe chutes.

Chicago River Model

This model had a horizontal scale of 1 to 250 and a vertical scale of 1:20. This distortion is needed to have measurable flow depths in the laboratory. Scaling of flow and density gradients are achieved by maintaining the same densimetric Froude number in the model and prototype.

View of Chicago River model basin

View of Chicago River model basin