Infrastructure Research Institute - University of Kansas

The Water Resources Laboratory contains four water flumes, a large pipe-flow apparatus, and the infrastructure needed to support hydraulic model studies. A recirculating water system with a constant-head tank supplies water to the flumes, pipe-flow apparatus and hydraulic models. Two horizontal glass-walled flumes with widths of 30 inches and 12 inches are used for research and teaching on open-channel flow and hydraulic structures. The large water flume is also used for aerospace projects. An 18-inch wide tilting sediment flume is used to study bed forms and bridge scour in sand-bed rivers. A large wooden flume is used for studies of bridge hydraulics. The pipe-flow apparatus contains an array of pipes of different sizes and materials. It is used for research and training on flow measurement and flowmeter calibration.