Hydraulic engineering laboratory
Hydromechanics, hydrometry and hydraulic engineering testing have been essential specialist knowledge for planning or designing civil and environmental engineers for decades, especially those specializing in hydraulic engineering and water management.
In the hydraulic engineering hall, we impart this knowledge to our students in a practical and clear way. We have special test rigs in operation for them and also involve them in ongoing research projects. In this way, we introduce our students to current topics in hydraulic engineering and water management and get them excited about near-natural watercourses and renewable energies, for example.
They deepen their knowledge of hydrometry in their final theses. As research assistants, they conduct research on a model scale and link the findings with numerical flow simulations, for example.
In addition to the lectures, students are taught hydromechanical knowledge in a practical way through experimental investigations in the test stands of the hydraulic engineering hall. In the basic hydromechanics module, for example, the energy conservation equations are illustrated by experiments and verified by measurements in addition to the mathematical formulation.
Experimental set-ups motivate students to understand both more traditional hydraulic engineering topics and current hydraulic engineering fields of activity, making them tangible in the truest sense of the word. These include classic hydraulic measurements of structures in and around watercourses, such as weirs, fish ladders, water wheels and others.
Current topics include the effects of deadwood on the flow or sediment transport. The implementation of water level calculations and discharge measurements are also taught. In addition, basic knowledge is deepened through experimental tests in the hydraulic engineering testing module. In addition to hydromechanical and hydrometric topics, current research topics from the hydraulic engineering hall are also integrated into the teaching.
Our students are offered the opportunity to carry out final theses (Bachelor's or Master's theses) or student research projects.
According to a study conducted by the German Federal Environment Agency in 2022, only just under 8% of Germany's surface waters achieve good ecological status. This means that the EU target of achieving good chemical and ecological status for all water bodies by 2027 does not appear to be achievable. The reason for this is the structural changes made to our surface waters in the past with the aim of meeting human needs. As a result, many streams and rivers have lost their natural form.
In order to counteract this situation, the ecological effects of undercut deadwood structures in anthropogenically modified watercourses are being investigated. In the best-case scenario, the targeted installation of such structures can improve the structure of the watercourse locally and thus significantly enhance the habitat for aquatic life.
The investigations will take place both in a test channel in the hydraulic engineering hall and in an anthropogenically influenced watercourse.
Anthropogenic climate change is leading to more strongly varying runoff conditions. This is due to increasing and decreasing precipitation, temperatures and ice melting, as well as other ecological changes. These new hydraulic conditions have an influence on the continuity of existing vertical slot passes. The design parameters of these structures must therefore be adapted. This previously unexplored topic is essential for ensuring sustainable water management.
Model experiments in a vertical slot pass are used to investigate the influence of increasing and decreasing flows on continuity. Structural adaptations and the application of a climate factor are being researched as possible solutions.
The aim of this project is to change the usual design of a Zuppingen waterwheel so that fish-friendly operation can be guaranteed throughout. In future, fish should be able to pass directly by the waterwheel. The project is being evaluated from both an ecological and an economic point of view. Ecological investigations relate to the passability for aquatic life. In the economic study, a performance analysis of the modified energy converter will be carried out. The results will be compared with those of the original design and put into perspective.
Flume 1 is an experimental facility with a length of 12 m and a width of 0.25 m, making it the smallest experimental flume in the hydraulic engineering hall. With a height of 0.45 m, it offers sufficient space for experimental investigations. The bottom slope is horizontal. The inlet pipe with a DN 150 allows a maximum flow rate of 40 l/s. A weir flap at the end of the flume is used to control the water level. A Krohne OPTIFLUX 2000 F DN 150 EMF is used to measure the flow rate, while a Siemens SIMATIC HMI control panel is used to monitor and control the channel. A rail system with a measuring carriage is installed on the upper edge of the channel.
- Length: 12 m
- Width: 0.25 m
- Height: 0.45 m
- Supply line: DN 150
- Flow rate: max. 40 l/s
- Inclination: none, horizontal
- Weir flap at the end of the channel to control the water level
- MID: Krohne OPTIFLUX 2000 F DN 150
- Control panel: Siemens SIMATIC HMI
- Rail system and measuring trolley available
Used in teaching for the experiments
- Thompson weir overflow
- Pipe tests (static and dynamic pressure, hydraulic losses in pipes)
Flume 2 has a length of 30 m, a width of 0.5 m and a height of 0.60 m, making it the longest experimental flume in the hydraulic engineering hall. It has a DN 200 feed pipe, which enables a flow rate of around 200 l/s. The inclination of the flume is variable and can be adjusted from 0 ‰ to 10 ‰ using two spindle motors. A weir flap at the end of the channel enables precise control of the water level. A MID Krohne IFS 4000/6 DN 200 is used to measure the flow rate, while the Siemens SIMATIC HMI serves as a control panel for controlling and monitoring the flume. A rail system with several measuring trolleys is mounted on the top of the channel.
- Length: 30 m
- Width: 0.5 m
- Height: 0.60 m
- Supply line: DN 200
- Flow rate: max. ~ 200 l/s
- Inclination: variable between 0 ‰ to 10 ‰ adjustable via two spindle motors
- Weir flap at the end of the channel to control the water level
- MID: Krohne IFS 4000/6 DN 200
- Control panel: Siemens SIMATIC HMI
- Rail system and measuring trolley available
Used in teaching for the experiments
- Alternating jump
- Accumulation and subsidence line
- Wing measurement
The experimental flume is 20 meters long, 3 meters wide and 1 meter high. It is made of concrete and is the widest flume in the hydraulic engineering hall. It has two feed pipes with diameters of DN 400 and DN 100 and has already handled flows of more than 500 l/s. The flume is horizontal and has a weir flap at the end to control the water level. The flow rate is measured using a Krohne Altoflux M 460 DN 500 EMF, which is installed in the main pipe of the entire test field, and a Krohne Aquaflux F/6 DN 100 EMF for the smaller supply pipe. The total flow rate of the channel is also determined by a Thomson weir with five fields. A Siemens SIMATIC HMI control panel is used for operation and monitoring. Furthermore, a rail system with a measuring carriage is installed on the upper edge of the channel.
- Length: 20 m
- Width: 3 m
- Height: 1 m
- Supply line: DN 400 + DN 100
- Flow rate: at least 500 l/s
- Inclination: none, horizontal
- Weir flap at the end of the channel to control the water level
- MID: Krohne Altoflux M 460 DN 500 in the main pipe + Krohne Aquaflux F/6 DN 100
- Control panel: Siemens SIMATIC HMI
- Rail system and measuring trolley available
Used in research, e.g. for experiments
- Water pressure machine
- Sediment movement
The experimental flume has a length of 20 meters, a width of 1 meter and a height of 1 meter. It is supplied via a supply pipe with a diameter of DN 300. The slope of the flume can be varied. At the end of the channel there is a weir flap that controls the water level. A MID Krohne Aquaflux F/6 DN 300 is used for flow measurement. A Siemens SIMATIC HMI control panel is available for operation and monitoring. In addition, a rail system with a measuring trolley is available to carry out precise measurements.
- Length: 20 m
- Width: 1 m
- Height: 1 m
- Supply line: DN 300
- Inclination: can be adjusted variably
- Weir flap at the end of the channel to control the water level
- MID: Krohne Aquaflux F/6 DN 300
- Control panel: Siemens SIMATIC HMI
- Rail system and measuring trolley available
Used in research, e.g. for experiments
- Slotted pass
- Weirs made from natural materials
- Dethridge Wheel
The experimental flume is 20 meters long, 1 meter wide and 1 meter high. It is fed via a supply pipe with a diameter of DN 300. The flume is horizontal and has a weir flap at the end to control the water level. A MID Krohne Aquaflux F/6 DN 300 is installed for flow measurement. The channel is operated and monitored via a Siemens SIMATIC HMI control panel. There is also a rail system with several measuring scales to enable precise measurements to be taken in the flume upstream and downstream of the water wheel.
- Length: 20 m
- Width: 1 m
- Height: 1 m
- Supply pipe: DN 300
- Inclination: none, horizontal
- Weir flap at the end of the channel to control the water level
- MID: Krohne Aquaflux F/6 DN 300
- Control panel: Siemens SIMATIC HMI
- Rail system and measuring trolley available
Used in research, especially for experiments
- Zuppinger conventional waterwheel (power and efficiency determination)
- Zuppinger waterwheel with integrated fish ladder
The experimental flume has a length of 13 meters, a width and a height of 0.80 meters each. The water is fed into a separate water circuit via a supply pipe with a diameter of DN 250, as it is doped with seeding particles for PIV measurements. The maximum flow rate is 80 l/s. The flume is horizontal and has a weir flap at the end to control the water level. A Krohne OPTIFLUX 2100 DN 250 EMF is used to measure the flow rate. The PIV measuring system for measuring flow conditions upstream and downstream of the water wheel is located in a laser protection housing. The measuring stand is equipped with two PC systems, which are used to control and measure the mechanical performance parameters of the waterwheel and to control and evaluate the PIV measurements.
- Length: 13 m
- Width: 0.80 m
- Height: 0.80 m
- Supply pipe: DN 250
- Flow rate: max. 80 l/s
- Separate water circuit, as the water is doped with seeding particles for the PIV measurements
- Inclination: none
- Weir flap at the end of the channel to control the water level
- MID: Krohne OPTIFLUX 2100 DN 250
- The PIV measuring system is located in a laser protection housing
- The measuring stand has two PC systems for controlling and measuring the mechanical performance parameters of the water wheel and for controlling and evaluating the PIV measurements
Use in research for the experiments
- Zuppinger waterwheel (power and efficiency determination)
- Zuppinger waterwheel (flow measurement with PIV measurement method)
The Stream Table is 3 meters long, 1.20 meters wide and 0.15 meters high. The supply line and water flow depend on the pump system used, which offers a capacity of 6,000 to 12,000 l/h. The inclination of the stream table can be variably adjusted to simulate different terrain situations. A bürkert TAU003 variable area flow meter with a measuring range of 100 to 1,000 l/h and/or an LZS-50 variable area flow meter with a measuring range of 1,600 to 16,000 l/h are used for precise flow measurement. The stream table is mainly designed for experiments with a moving bottom to investigate the effects of water currents on sediment movement.
- Length: 3 m
- Width: 1.20 m
- Height: 0.15 m
- Supply line and flow rate depend on the pump system used (6,000 to 12,000 l/h)
- Inclination: variable adjustable
- Variable area flow meter: bürkert TAU003 (measuring range 100 to 1,000 l/h and/or LZS-50 (measuring range 1,600 to 16,000 l/h)
Use in research for experiments
- Visualization and testing of sediment movement on deadwood and groynes
