OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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The visit to the Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory begins with a short introduction of the facility, what we do, and why physical model testing is necessary. Type of testing and examples of projects are also addressed, identifying the differences between storm and hurricane waves, tsunamis, resilience of coastal structures, or wave energy converters, among others.
A demonstration on how waves are generated in the laboratory and the general properties of waves, will be held in the small wave flume. A visit to the laboratory will include the Large Wave Flume and the Directional Wave Basin, where the visitors can observe the different activities in both facilities, which may be the preparation of an experiment, instrumentation, or possibly the actual testing with waves. If no experiments are being held in the facilities, waves will be run as a demonstration to the visitors.
For event questions or accommodation requests, please contact Shelly Signs, (541) 737-0724 or shelly.signs@oregonstate.edu.
The wave lab education and outreach program strives to provide “K to Grey” engagement in coastal and civil engineering to broaden participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). We provide opportunities to learn about engineering, research, and coastal hazards using the on-going work at the laboratory to highlight the importance of engineering and research to the built and natural environment.
Tours of the wave lab highlight the importance of coastal engineering, the research process, and the day-to-day operations of the large-scale laboratory. Because this is a working facility, there will be times when the tanks are dry. This happens occasionally when we reconfigure tank specifications for research and testing projects. This provides additional opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to “get their feet wet” with research.
Through our work, we deliver research, testing, and education and outreach opportunities to improve the resilience and sustainability of coastal areas, and to develop innovative solutions to the design of coastal infrastructure.