Hydraulic engineering laboratory
An accurate description of flows in their interaction with the surrounding geometry is of central importance for hydraulic engineering. However, the predominantly three-dimensional hydraulic motion sequences can only be described in a simple and reliable manner under certain conditions and limitations.
The simulation of the flow processes under small-scale modelling conditions offers a proven and efficient solution. In addition to the largely implicit recording of the physical interrelationships, the model experiments still fulfil an irreplaceable function today in terms of the illustration of complex processes and the correction of theoretical hypotheses.
The field of application of physical model tests covers all hydraulic engineering problems. However, testing activities are primarily focussed on issues relating to Alpine hydraulic engineering. In addition to optimisation tasks for central hydropower plants, specific problem solutions for bedload-carrying rivers and streams as well as fundamental investigations into bedload transport and river bed formation should be mentioned here.
The hydraulic engineering laboratory in Innsbruck has been an important centre of hydraulic research for over 25 years. The usable hall area is 850m². In addition, there is an outdoor area of around 1000m² and a wind tunnel. Two inclinable glass flumes are available for sectional modelling investigations.
As the reliability of numerical methods increases, modelling tests are now increasingly concentrating on tasks that cannot currently be handled with sufficient quality and reliability using other methods. In addition, hybrid application together with numerical models is becoming increasingly important, as this facilitates the development of optimised overall solutions. Analysing and verifying mathematical-numerical models is a further area of responsibility. The trend towards ever more specialised and complex tasks also requires measurement technology that keeps pace with this development and is therefore becoming increasingly important. The standard devices of the past are increasingly being replaced by electronic and high-resolution special systems, and the measurement results are mainly analysed and documented using EDP. The main tasks of the laboratory are tasks from the areas of basic and contract research, the development of measuring equipment and from the area of model demonstrations supporting teaching.
Laboratory management:
DI Valerie NEISCH
+43 512 507 62251
valerie.neisch@uibk.ac.at
MSc. Rumiana VENKOV
+43 512 507 62250
rumiana.venkov@uibk.ac.at