eduCIEM: Educational Wave Flume of LIM/UPC
The eduCIEM is a very small-scale wave flume designed for educational purposes. It provides a visual and safe way to demonstrate the main concepts of coastal and harbour hydraulics: wave generation, reflection and absorption, wave breaking, wave–structure interaction, etc.
It is a scaled reproduction of the CIEM with transparent walls, ideal for teaching practicals, STEM workshops and outreach activities, as well as for small preliminary tests.
| Main characteristics of the eduCIEM |
| Parameter | Description / Value | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Total length | 6 m | Very small-scale wave flume for teaching and demonstrations |
| Internal width | 0.2 m | Rectangular section with transparent walls |
| Total height | 0.35 m | Allows different water depths depending on the activity |
| Maximum water depth | 0.15 m | Adjustable to reproduce different situations |
| Wave generator | Piston-type with linear actuator | Maximum stroke of 0.1 m and response speed of 1.6 m/s |
| Maximum theoretical capacity | Water depth of 0.10 m with waves of 0.095 m and a period of 0.9 s | Maximum theoretical operating conditions |
| Wave-generation software | Developed by LIM/UPC | Regular and irregular waves and reproduction of real time series |
| Absorption system | Passive: wave-19 thermoformed polypropylene panels | Minimises wave reflection at the end of the flume |
| Measurement equipment | Ultrasonic water-level sensors | Data acquisition and synchronisation for teaching practicals |
General view of the eduCIEM: a wave flume for demonstrations and teaching practicals.
Passive absorption system with wave-19 thermoformed polypropylene panels.
Practical session with students at the eduCIEM flume, focused on wave generation and the measurement of wave characteristics.
Basic instrumentation for practical sessions: ultrasonic water-level sensors.
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