The Flow and Sediment Transport Channel is 5 meters in length and 80mm in width. The flume has a built-in recirculating water supply connected to a digital flow meter for accurate measurements during experimentation.

An 80 mm wide 5 m long flow and sediment transport channel with a starter kit of models and instruments. It provides students with the ability to study the varying effects of sediment transport, bedform dynamics and fluid flow around weirs and other objects in an open channel.

The flume has a built-in sediment trap and includes sediment (graded sand), a trowel and a rake, for detailed experimentation into sediment transport. Also included with the flume are four different models, so students have the ability of immediate experimentation in open channel flow.

The models included are:

Sharp-crested weir

Venturi flume

Broad-crested weir

Sluice gate

The channel is made of toughened glass, precision-built to ensure parallel walls and a consistently accurate cross-section along its length. A jack raises and lowers the screw support and the digital inclinometer gives an accurate adjustment of the channel angle. A sturdy steel U-section firmly supports the channel throughout its length. It has a floor-standing frame that supports the working section at a convenient eye-level position for students. The downstream end of the channel has a windowed section for visualisation of flow and a settling chamber upon exit. A pump with a control valve, forces water up to flow settling chamber at the upstream end of the channel. This gives smooth, uniform flow, free from entry effects. 

All learning outcomes for the Flumes plus:

Fixed and smooth bedflow

Flow over a mobile sandbed

Mechanics of sediment transport

Local scour

Subcritical and super critical flow conditions

Lower regime

Upper regime

Bedform predictions.