Kraijenhoff van de Leur Laboratory for Water and Sediment Dynamics

Short description:

Kraijenhoff van de Leur Laboratory for Water and Sediment Dynamics
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Major research issues/sites:

The Kraijenhoff van de Leur Laboratory for Water and Sediment Dynamics was opened in January 2009, and provides an experimental environment for analysis of river hydraulics and physical transport phenomena occurring at the earth surface and subsurface. Present-day scientific challenges in those fields occur in understanding the competing processes of surface runoff and infiltration as a function of soil composition, quantifying the role of vegetation in sediment transport, and modeling the interactions between river channels, side channels, and vegetated floodplains. The new facilities in the lab at Wageningen UR have been designed to analyse these multidisciplinary issues in detail. The experimental research is currently focusing on morphological responses to channel flow and overland flow. The ongoing research projects are are part of programmes focussing on stream restoration, gully erosion and side channels created by longitudinal dams.

Short technical description:

Research facility: straight flume

The straight flume has an effective length of 13.6 m and an internal width of 2.6 m. The flume features a sediment catch, which can be connected to the sediment pump for recirculation of sediment. To scan the bed surface in the flume, a computer-controlled laser scanner system can cover the effective area of the flume at a resolution of 1 mm2.

Research facility: tilting flume

The tilting flume is a 1.2 m wide tilting flume, with an effective length of 14.4 m. The flume has sediment catch at the downstream end, and a sediment pump for recirculation of bed material.

Research facility: rainfall simulator

To test the impact of a raindrop on a soil surface and test the vulnerability of a soil type to overland flow and erosion, a rainfall simulator has been installed. The pressure driven rainfall generator is equipped with two different nozzle systems for generating different rainfall intensities.

Education facility: closed conduits model

Two types of energy losses in closed conduits can be studied in this model:

  • friction losses (caused by friction at the inner wall of the conduit) and
  • local losses (caused by sudden changes in the conduit).

Education facility: demonstration flume

This 4 m long and 0.4 m wide flume is applied to test Bernoulli's energy conservation law. Theory about the hydraulic jump and the functioning of a broad crested weir can be studied.

Education facility: venturi meter and orifice

Measuring discharges in closed conduits is possible with an orifice or Venturi meter. Students learn how these widely used systems are working by applying the energy conservation law and the equation for continuity of mass.

Specific features/uniqueness:

  • Tilting flume can be inclined up to 4%.
  • Computer controlled measuring carriage over the straight flume
  • 2.5 x 6.0 meter artificial hillslope beneath rainfall simulator

Options and conditions for visiting scientists:

Available for joint projects.

Unit Cost of use and principles of costing:

Unit cost for each of  the three research facilities is € 200,- per day (January 2012).

centre running the infrastructure:

WENR - Wageningen Environmental Research

type of facility:

Observatory / large-scale experimental field site , Experimental facilities

Contact

  • WENR - Wageningen Environmental Research

Dr. Ir. A.J.F. Hoitink