ORRE Wave-Current Flume at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Support Types:
Non-Open Water, Tunnel, Flume, Tank & Basin

Application Areas:
Hydrodynamics

Technology Relevance:
Current, Tidal, Wave

Location: Amherst, MA

Facility Overview

The UMass wave-current flume is part of the Ocean Resources and Renewable Energy (ORRE) Laboratory in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. The facility can be operated in three modes: as a standalone wave tank, a recirculating current flume, or combined wave and current flume. New capabilities added are a two-DOF actuator system and high speed PIV.

The facility will be ideally suited for experiments such as:

  • Wave–current interaction
  • Wave–tide interaction
  • Scaled tidal turbine testing
  • Scaled wave energy converter testing
  • Airfoils and hydrofoils – lift and drag measurement
  • Net and cage structure testing
  • Vortex-induced vibration of structures
  • Oscillating structures in uniform current

Facility Capabilities

Amherst, MA