An inexpensive infinite flume

Abstract

A new design is presented of an infinite flume. This flume has been specially developed to study equilibrium processes during transport and deposition of sand and the influence of time on these processes. The flume-plan is oblong rectangular, the channel is 60 cm deep and 45 cm wide. In each corner reflexion blades are mounted, which are specially shaped to compensate for the increase in width in the bends. The water drive is performed by means of paddles, hanging from two parallel chains which run over cog-wheels. The paddles move in a vertical position through the water. Due to a downcurrent inclination of the chains, the paddles are gradually lifted out of the water and are free of the surface whilst flipping round the cog-wheels, thus producing no extra turbulence. Flow characteristic are shown for different discharge rates and peculiars of the flume are discussed