The Ultimate Solution for Teaching and Research Flumes:

When it comes to advanced hydraulic research and education, the quality of your equipment makes all the difference. At Armfield, we are proud to offer world-class teaching and research flumes that combine cutting-edge technology with over 50 years of expertise in hydraulic engineering. Our flumes provide an adaptable, durable, and precise platform for simulating real-world water flow and sediment dynamics, making them the preferred choice for universities, research institutions, and industries across the globe.

Armfield’s Modular Design: Flexibility in Experimentation

One of the standout features of our teaching and research flumes is their modular design. Available in standard lengths from 5 to 50 meters, with the option to expand in 2.5-meter increments, they offer unmatched flexibility. Choose from widths of 600mm, 800mm, or 1000mm, allowing you to customize your setup for experiments focused on sediment transport, wave generation, or erosion studies.

Our modular flumes are offered in both static and tilting configurations, providing precise control over water flow and gradient. This versatility makes them ideal for everything from basic teaching to advanced research. With the ability to add sections as your research grows, Armfield flumes provide a long-term solution for a wide variety of experiments.

Customisable Options for Comprehensive Research

At Armfield, we understand that every research project is unique. That’s why our flumes are designed with a variety of customisable features. Our systems can include wave makers, sediment transfer mechanisms, wind generators, and controlled by Venetian weirs, which manage water depth, eliminate drawdown, and ensure laminar flow for more accurate and consistent results. These options allow researchers to conduct highly specialised studies, ranging from river dynamics and coastal erosion to sediment deposition and flood simulation.

Our flumes are also available in free discharge or recirculation configurations. For laboratories equipped with sumps or header tanks, the free discharge model may be ideal. For more self-contained systems, we offer recirculation flumes, which ensure that water is continuously cycled through the system. This flexibility allows our flumes to fit into any laboratory setup, whether it’s a state-of-the-art research facility or a teaching laboratory.

Advanced Automation and Precision Control

Incorporating modern automation is key to accurate, reproducible results in hydraulic research. That’s why all Armfield flumes are equipped with a PLC control system, complete with a user-friendly touchscreen interface. This system allows for automated control over key variables such as flow rate, water depth, and tilt angle. Automation not only improves the accuracy of experiments but also frees up researchers to focus on analysis rather than manual operation.

Additionally, we offer the integration of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) systems, enabling researchers to record and visualise flow dynamics in real-time. Whether your experiment involves studying sediment transport or simulating coastal wave action, these advanced instrumentation options ensure that you collect reliable, high-precision data.

Durable, High-Quality Materials

At Armfield, we prioritise quality and durability in every product. Our teaching and research flumes are constructed from high-grade materials like stainless steel, glass, and Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP), ensuring that the flumes are built to last. This robust construction is essential for handling harsh conditions, such as high flow rates or sediment-laden water, without compromising on accuracy or stability.

Moreover, our flumes are equipped with load-bearing instrument rails along the entire working length, providing additional support for complex setups. The glass panels are carefully sealed using a rubber “U” section, and the overall design is engineered to prevent deflection, ensuring exceptional stability and rigidity throughout operation.

Tailored Support and Installation Services

Investing in Armfield teaching flumes means more than just acquiring world-class equipment. Our team provides end-to-end support, from design and customisation to installation and ongoing maintenance. Our professional service team will oversee every aspect of the setup, including transportation, installation, and commissioning. In addition, we offer on-site training to ensure that your team can operate the flume to its full potential.

Our engineers work closely with each clients brief to ensure that every requirement, from technical specifications to installation timelines, is fully met. With our decades of experience in the industry, we’ve successfully executed a wide range of complex projects, from small-scale educational setups to large-scale industrial research flumes.

Wide Range of Applications

Armfield teaching and research flumes are designed to serve a broad spectrum of research and educational purposes. Whether you’re studying river behaviour, coastal erosion, or flood dynamics, our flumes provide the tools you need to conduct detailed, accurate experiments.

For example, wave generation is a critical area of study for coastal engineers. Our wave makers can simulate anything from simple paddle-driven waves to complex, multi-directional waves generated by wind or computer-controlled systems. This makes our flumes ideal for studying the behaviour of sea walls, breakwaters, and beach erosion.

Additionally, our wind simulation systems allow for the integration of variable-speed wind profiles into hydraulic experiments. This feature is particularly useful for investigating the combined effects of wind and water flow, such as in studies of storm surge impacts on coastal structures.

FAQs

1. What are the benefits of a modular flume design?
Modular flume designs offer flexibility in research and teaching, allowing users to extend the length in 2.5m increments. This makes it possible to tailor the flume to specific research needs, such as sediment transport or wave dynamics, and to expand the system as future projects evolve.

2. Can Armfield flumes be used for both teaching and research?
Absolutely. Armfield flumes are designed for versatility, making them suitable for both educational and research applications. Our systems can be customised to meet the needs of undergraduate teaching labs or advanced, high-precision research environments.

3. What customisation options are available for Armfield flumes?
Our flumes come with a wide array of customisation options, including wave makers, sediment transfer systems, wind generators, and various weir configurations. These features enable researchers to conduct specialised studies in areas such as flood simulation, coastal erosion, and sediment deposition.

4. Do you offer support after installation?
Yes, Armfield offers comprehensive after-sales support. Our professional service team provides installation, commissioning, and on-site training to ensure that your team can operate the system effectively. We also offer ongoing maintenance and remote support for troubleshooting.

Find out more

Take your hydraulic research to the next level, contact us today to learn more about our range of teaching and research flumes, and how we can customise a solution to meet your specific requirements. Visit our contact page to speak with one of our experts.