Building a fluid flume
For the experimental part of my thesis work, I designed, machined, assembled, troubleshot, and ultimately used the fluid flume to run experiments on logjams.
The purpose of my flow cell is to conduct experimental work to understand the hydrodynamic conditions under which log jams form.
I started out with a circular flume, a bit of a gold fish race track kind of vibe. Although I built this tank out of optically clear acrylic, I had to go back to the drawing board. I didn't care for how acrylic machined and when it failed, acrylic failed fast. Not ideal when it is filled with water (and glitter). Ultimately I settled on polycarbonate sheets. The machining of polycarbonate was (chef's kiss) beautiful. Also, it didn't fast fracture which was ideal, and the optics were good enough.
The purpose of my flow cell is to conduct experimental work to understand the hydrodynamic conditions under which log jams form.
I started out with a circular flume, a bit of a gold fish race track kind of vibe. Although I built this tank out of optically clear acrylic, I had to go back to the drawing board. I didn't care for how acrylic machined and when it failed, acrylic failed fast. Not ideal when it is filled with water (and glitter). Ultimately I settled on polycarbonate sheets. The machining of polycarbonate was (chef's kiss) beautiful. Also, it didn't fast fracture which was ideal, and the optics were good enough.