An accurate description of water currents and their interaction with the surrounding terrain plays an important role in hydraulic engineering. Mathematical descriptions or calculations of the resulting hydraulic effects, which are predominantly three-dimensional, can only be done when certain assumptions regarding restrictions and simplifications are made.
There is a way around having to make such assumptions; simulating water currents in scaled models. These experiments are very important, especially for the demonstration and visualization of complex flow behavior or for proving theoretical assumptions.
The use of models can be helpful in every field of hydro-engineering. However, the main focus of tests is set on problems concerning alpine hydraulic engineering. Next to the optimization tasks of existing or projected hydropower plants, those projects specifically dealing with sediment transport or basic investigations concerning sediment management and bed form are accomplished.
The Unit of Hydraulic Engineering`s laboratory has been representing a well-established place for research activities in hydraulic engineering for more than 25 years. There are about 850 m² of floor space in the lab. In addition to that, there is an outdoor work area of sorts that has an area of about 1000 m² and there is also a wind tunnel available for research. Main research topics in the laboratory are tasks concerning fundamental and mission-oriented research, design and optimization of measuring equipment as well as scale model tests to support teaching.
