Location
University of Sheffield
Western Bank - Sheffield S10 2TN | United Kingdom
Fields of expertise
Urban flooding
Runoff pollution
Performance of urban assets
Digital water solution
Modality of Access
In-person
Access offered for each project
60 days
Number of Projects
2 (1 per call)
Expected composition of the visiting user-group
1 researcher during the full access period and 5 researchers for 10 days
Description
This facility was designed to study the interactions between shallow surface and piped drainage flows during urban flood conditions.
The system comprises of a 75 mm pipe below a 4 m x 8 m ‘surface’, linked by a 240 mm manhole. Flows in the pipe and over the surface (each up to 11 L/s) can be independently controlled and measured using automated values and flow meters.
A range of steady and unsteady sewer surcharge (net flow exchange from pipe to surface) and drainage (net flow exchange from pipe to surface) conditions can be studied.
The system is instrumented with pressure/depth sensors to record time series data of surface flow depth and pipe pressure conditions. A large-scale surface PIV/PCA has also been installed in order to characterise 2D velocity and depth averaged solute concentrations in the surface flow.
A number of different obstructions and manhole opening grates can be fitted to the surface in order to create a range of flow conditions on the surface.
Service provision
The facility is available for studies into the hydromechanics of urban drainage systems and shallow flood flows.
Specific examples of past studies include:
- Studies on the efficiency of different inlet grates designs for drainage and the detailed validation of 2D hydrodynamic surface flow models;
- Detailed studies of manhole hydrodynamics and 3D model validation including pollutant transport through manholes and within surface flows;
- Quantification of hydraulic head losses within surcharging manhole structures for improved sewer/flood modelling;
- Validation of methodologies describing interaction of flows between urban drainage systems and overland flows in flood conditions.
Instrumentation available and specific services provided
Photo gallery
