GWK+: Erweiterung des Großen Wellenkanals

Analyse des Einlaufbereichs

authored by: Kim Mario Welzel, Alexander Schendel, Nils René Goseberg
Abstract: The necessary expansion of maritime renewable energies requires the detailed investigation of structural load limits and potential environmental impacts of offshore structures. Large-scale test facilities play an important role in this context, as they provide the rare opportunity to investigate offshore struc-
tures in large scale under realistic conditions. Of particular importance for the design of offshore structures is a realistic representation of the complex superposition of waves and currents, which is currently only possible in a few large-scale test facilities. With the extension of the large wave ﬂume (GWK) in
Hannover to the GWK+, the ﬁrst test facility of this kind in Germany will be available from 2022. The design and construction of an additional current inlet into a wave channel represents a major technical challenge. The design of the current inlet must ensure that ﬂow conditions similar to those in nature can be reproduced in the study area of the wave channel. As an essential ﬂow component, this paper will therefore describe the development of the current inlet into the extended GWK from the design stage to further optimization by means of a 1:10 model created speciﬁcally for this purpose. Insights into the implementation, the ﬂow-related challenges as well as the optimization of the current inlet into the wave ﬂume by means of guiding walls and adjustable guiding vanes, and the general suitability for the approximation of the vertical velocity proﬁle as a 1/15 law are presented.
Organisation(s): Ludwig-Franzius-Institute of Hydraulics, Estuarine and Coastal Engineering
External Organisation(s): Technische Universität Braunschweig
Type: Article
Journal: Bautechnik
Volume: 98
Pages: 541-551
No. of pages: 11
ISSN: 0340-5044
Publication date: 08.2021
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Building and Construction, Civil and Structural Engineering
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1002/bate.202100042 (Access: Closed)