Model Test Basin Wavemaker

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The Wavemaker installed in the Ship Hydrodynamics Centre's Model Test Basin is a multi-element wave generator supplied by HR Wallingford.

This wave generator consists of 16 individual wavemaker paddles. Each paddle is of piston type allowing wave generation at almost any water depth (up to the maximum of approximately 0.8m). Both long and short crested waves can be generated.

The computer software that controls the 16 individual paddles provides the ability to produce a wide variety of wave forms, including: regular waves, most commonly known irregular wave spectra and user defined wave spectra or sequences.

Specifications

	Paddle width 750 mm
	Paddle stroke (maximum) 600 mm
	Paddle force 1.3kN
	Maximum wave height 280 mm (approximately)
	Wave periods 0.6 to 3.5 seconds
	Electrically driven multi-element piston type (16 paddles)
	Regular and irregular waves
	Long and short-crested seas
	Normal and oblique wave angles

Wave Forms

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A large range of waveforms can be generated in both the Towing Tank and the Model Test Basin these include:

Regular Waves

The wavemakers in each facility can readily generate regular waves where the selected discrete wave frequency and height remain constant.

User Defined Wave Forms

The wavemakers in each facility also have the capability to generate a specific sequence of waves as defined by the user. Examples include: cnoidal waves, solitary waves, a simplified reproduction of vessel generated waves.

Wave Spectra

The wavemakers in each facility can generate wave sequences as defined by the following idealised standard irregular wave spectra:

• Jonswap
• Pierson-Moskowitz
• ITTC (International Towing Tank Conference)
• ISSC (International Ship Structures Conference)
• Bretschneider/Mitsuyasu
• Neumann
• Darbyshire Coastal
• Darbyshire Ocean
• Top Hat/Pink
• BTTP