UK Coastal Research Facility
Parent Body: HR Wallingford Ltd., Howberry Park, Wallingford, OX10 8BA and The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon, SN2 1ET

Principal Functions
Experiments on coastal zone processes, wave–current–structure–sediment interaction.

Subsidiary Functions
Wave/current basin for consultancy studies.

General Details
The UK Coastal Research Facility provides a controlled environment in which a wide variety of experiments on coastal processes can be performed. The equipment in the basin can simulate waves approaching the coastline at various angles and the resulting longshore flow of water. In addition, and uniquely, the basin is able to simulate the sweeping action of the tidal currents across the nearshore profile. The facility can be used to make measurements of waves and currents and their interaction with coastal structures and sediments.

Specification
The plan size of the basin is 54m by 27m. The wave field is produced through the computer controlled motion of 72 individual electrically driven, 0.5m wide paddle elements along one side of the basin. Shore parallel flows are controlled through four computerised pumps, and the fine tuning of the flow is achieved by varying the discharge through 40, 0.5m wide inlet channels at each end of the basin. The range of operating water depths are 0.3 to 0.8m. The bathymetry is moulded to suit the user's requirements.

Special Features
Support staff are provided for each project. Equipment for measuring water service elevations, flow velocities (3 ADVs and a 2D LDA) and bed shear stress are provided linked to a multichannel data logger. A computerised instrument carriage covers a 20m × 20m approximate area. Overhead video records and a sediment recirculation system are available.

Future Plans
Changes to bathymetry (possibly), mobile bed installation, continuous upgrading of facilities, five year research programme envisaged.

Availability
The facility is available to other bodies in both the private and public sector. There are no restrictions on the type of body that can apply to use the facility. Normally three months advance notice is required when asking for time on the facility, but this can be negotiable. Time is allocated on a 50:50 basis to university research: HR research/consultancy.

Charging Basis
Charging rates are subject to individual negotiation except for EPSRC funded researchers whose hire fees are agreed between the parent bodies.

Contact Information
Dr James Sutherland
HR Wallingford Ltd.
Howberry Park
Wallingford OX10 8BA
Telephone:  01491 822311  Fax:  01491 825743
Telex: 848552 HRSWAL G
E-mail:     jsu@hrwallingford.co.uk
Web Site: http://www.hrwallingford.co.uk/facilities/crf