LaBassA: Maritime Research and Experimentation Wave Basin
LaBassa is a medium-scale three-dimensional (3D) experimental infrastructure designed for the reproduction of offshore structures, deep-water mooring systems, floating structures and underwater robots, among other applications.
The LaBassa tank is built in concrete and has five viewing windows measuring 1.6 × 1.6 metres, which allow the application of advanced visualisation and measurement techniques such as PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry), PTV (Particle Tracking Velocimetry) and other three-dimensional optical systems in the vertical direction.
This infrastructure is particularly useful for studies of wave interaction with floating structures, moorings, dynamic behaviour of submerged bodies and the calibration of hydrodynamic measurement equipment.
| Main characteristics of the LaBassa three-dimensional experimental facility |
| Parameter | Description / Value | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Total length | 12 m | Rectangular test tank |
| Width | 4.6 m | Allows three-dimensional (3D) experiments |
| Total height | 2.5 m | Reinforced concrete structure |
| Maximum water height | 2.0 m | Water-level control for steady or dynamic conditions |
| Viewing windows | 5 windows measuring 1.6 × 1.6 m | Allow optical visualisation techniques in the vertical direction |
| Main applications | Testing of offshore structures, moorings and underwater vehicles | Includes lighting systems and 3D image-capture systems |
| Measurement equipment | PIV/PTV systems, acoustic velocimeters (ADV), pressure sensors and high-speed cameras | Synchronised acquisition of three-dimensional data |
Testing of state-of-the-art offshore floating structures for wind-energy harvesting. Pre-construction prototype testing.
Availability of acoustic Doppler velocimeters for point measurements of velocity. Applications in tests of propeller behaviour for large vessels.
Availability of large side windows for monitoring tests and trials of ROV systems.
Platforms for the installation of measurement systems and auxiliary elements required for carrying out the tests.
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