Sloping Sediment Duct
Parent Body: HR Wallingford Ltd., Howberry Park, Wallingford, OX10 8BA, UK

Principal Functions
Conducting tests on sediment transport on horizontal, shallow and steep slopes near the angle of repose for the sediment.

General Details
The new Sloping Sediment Duct (SSD) has been purpose-designed for conducting tests on sediment transport on horizontal, shallow and steep slopes. The facility can be used to study various aspects of sediment transport and hydrodynamics on slopes, including bed-load transport on steep slopes.

Specification
The dimensions of the test section are 6m long by 0.6m wide by 0.25m high with three sections fabricated with glass windows. The longitudinal slope can be adjusted up to ±33 degrees from horizontal with a lateral tilt of up to 90 degrees. The lateral tilt means that the duct can be operated with a combined longitudinal and lateral slope for sediment studies or as a duct with aspect ratio 1:2.4 or 2.4:1. The maximum discharge capacity is 0.15 m3/s, corresponding to a mean flow velocity of 1 m/s in the duct. The system is a closed conduit with one standpipe acting as surge outlet.

Special Features
The flow discharge is measured by an electromagnetic flowmeter and the pressure loss in the test section can be measured using stilling wells taking the pressure difference over a 5.57m distance. An absolute pressure transducer is installed in the middle of the test section. An additional measuring device is a two-component Laser Doppler Anemomenter (LDA).

Future Plans
At present the system operates with a steady flow. The design also accommodates the infrastructure (pipework etc.) for a wave piston to be installed at a later date.

Availability
The facility is available to other bodies in both the public and private sector. There are no restrictions on the type of body that can apply to use the facility.

Charging Basis
Charging rates are subject to individual negotiation.

Contact Information
Dr Andy Peet
HR Wallingford Ltd.
Howbery Park
Wallingford
OX10 8BA
UK
Telephone:  01491 8222470  Fax:  01491 825743
Email:       ahp@hrwallingford.co.uk
Web Site:  http://www.hrwallingford.co.uk/facilities/sedimentduct