Directional Wave Basin

Previously known as the Tsunami Wave Basin, was designed to understand the fundamental nature of:

  • Tsunami inundation
  • Tsunami-structure impact
  • Harbor resonance
  • 3D wave propagation

The facility is particularly suited for

  • General testing of coastal infrastructures,
  • Nearshore processes research
  • Wave hydrodynamics
  • Floating structures
  • Renewable energy devices
  • Numerical model validation

 Directional Basin Specifications

  • Lenght: 48.8 m  (160 ft)
  • Width: 26.5 m (87 ft)
  • Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)  Max water depth: 1.36 m (4.46 ft)
  • Beach: 1:10 removable steel beach

Wave Maker Specifications

The wave machine is a unique powerful snake-type system made of 29 boards with up to 2.1 m long stroke. It has been designed to generate short- and long-period multidirectional high quality waves.

  • Type: Piston-type, electric motor
  • Waveboards: 29 boards, 2.0 m (6.6 ft) high
  • Wave types: Regular, Irregular, Tsunami, Multidirectional, User defined
  • Period range: 0.5 to 10+ seconds
  • Max Wave: 0.85 m (2.5 ft) in 1.36m (4.46 ft) water; Max solitary (tsunami) wave: 0.7m in 1.0m water depth
  • Max Stroke: 2.1 m (6.9 ft)
  • Max Velocity: 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s)

Supporting Infrastructure

  • 7.5 ton capacity bridge crane
  • Instrumentation carriage, span 26.5 m
  • Unistrut installed in floor and sides to secure models
  • Two access ramps, 4.2 m (14 ft) wide
  • Steady flow currents installed on project basis
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NSF logo
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PMEC logo.

This facility is supported by the National Science Foundation (Award 2037914) and the Pacific Marine Energy Center.