At the Chair, we are engaged in basic research as well as research and development contracts to develop engineering solutions in the following areas:

The Areas

Ethohydraulics and Watercourse Continuity

The topic of "Passability of hydraulic engineering structures for animals" is currently omnipresent: be it in the overcoming of weirs and hydropower plants, in diversion and residual flow stretches or with regard to fish protection in water intake structures.

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Watercourse Development and Maintenance

Flowing waters have a decisive impact on the interaction between humans and the environment. Waters are the most important basic resource of nature, as history shows, also an essential factor in the settlement of the earth and the development of human cultures.

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Flood Protection

Flood protection is a very sustainable task, which is often accompanied by lengthy implementation processes for new measures due to the rapid forgetting of past events and damage.

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Thermal Energetic Use of Surface Waters

Only with the help of a heat turnaround can the national climate targets be met and the energy turnaround successfully shaped. Heat pumps that use environmental heat from the immediate surroundings are considerd one of the key technologies for a successfull heat transition. Heat from water (hydrometrics) as an environmental heat source holds great potential in this regard.

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Sediment Management at Impoundments

Artificial impoundments are indispensable for water management in order to buffer the fluctuating water supply. However, the transverse structures required for this purpose retain the sediments carried along in the watercourse, which leads to continuous sedimentation of the reservoir if no countermeasures are taken.

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Building Hydraulics

The design and dimensioning of hydraulic structures with complex hydraulic functions (e.g. locks, power plants, intake and return structures) has always been a focus of hydraulic engineers.

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Interactions in Ecohydraulics

Ecohydraulics deals with the multiple interactions between runoff, flow, and the various ecological conditions found on the watercourse.

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Optimization of Hydropower Utilization

Compared to other energy sources, hydropower as a regenerative energy can fulfill the requirements of environmental and climate protection, economic efficiency, service life and reliability in a special way.

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Methods Used

Experimente zur Kennwertbestimmung einer „Maximum Wave“-Surfwelle an einer Sohlschwelle
Picture: FG Wasserbau & Hydraulik, Werling

Experimental Hydraulic Engineering

Experimental hydraulic engineering is dedicated to the investigation of hydraulic and hydromechanical fundamentals, processes and relationships. The findings and results of such investigations are used for the development of new formulae and new design and calculation methods as well as for the derivation of required empirical coefficients, e.g. for the extension of the application range of proven formulae. The data can also be used to calibrate and validate numerical calculation methods. The essential requirement for such investigations is the knowledge of the boundary conditions and the exact conditionability of the test conditions.

Modellversuche im Maßstab 1:50 zur Hochwasserentlastung eines Stauraumes mit Entnahmebauwerk, Schussrinne, Sprungschanze, freiem Wasserstrahl und Kolkbildungsprozess im Auftreffpunkt beim Flusslauf
Picture: FG Wasserbau & Hydraulik, J.-U. Wiesemann

Physical Models

Physical models represent plans or the existing situation of real hydraulic engineering facilities and/or systems at a reduced scale. By means of similarity-mechanical relationships, parameters and processes recorded in the model can be transferred to the natural situation. In this way, the hydraulic functionality of hydraulic engineering systems can be optimally investigated and system optimizations can be tested on the basis of the discernible interactions. For physical models, a structure surface, a water supply and discharge system as well as measurement, control and regulation technology are required.

Dreidimensionale hydrodynamisch-numerische Strömungssimulation eines Bogenwehres mit seitlicher Fischaufstiegsanlage
Picture: FG Wasserbau & Hydraulik, K. Bensing

Numerical Models

Mathematical equation systems and their numerical solution form the core of numerical modeling. Often, these are the conservation laws of mass, momentum and, if necessary, energy, which are balanced at the edges of infinitesimal model units in order to derive information on flow behavior, water levels and other hydromechanical parameters for the modeled area. Numerical models always work with simplifications, which result from the spatial, temporal and mathematical discretization and, if necessary, are supplemented by simplifying turbulence models. Therefore, concrete statements are only possible after careful calibration and validation.

Hybrider Modellaufbau zur Entwicklung eines Hochwasserschutzkonzeptes entlang eines teilweise stark bebauten Gewässerabschnittes
Picture: FG Wasserbau & Hydraulik, B. Lehmann

Hybrid Models

Hybrid models combine the strengths of physical and numerical models by coupling both types of models. The type of coupling plays an important role. For example, the holistic investigation of the function and impact of a hydraulic engineering facility in a watercourse can be accomplished for the near field of the facility with high accuracy by a physical model, and the impact in the far field of the facility can be accomplished with a large-scale numerical model. The coupling of both models can be done by value exchange in a defined transfer cross section.

Ethohydraulische Tests zur Passage von Bypassöffnungen
Picture: FG Wasserbau & Hydraulik, B. Lehmann

Ethohydraulic Models

The interface between comparative behavioral research and hydraulics forms the basis for ethohydraulic studies. Large laboratory flumes with (modular) internals and known hydraulic situations are used here. Aquatic animals are used here and their hydraulic-reactive behavior is investigated. From the findings and results obtained, limit and guideline values can be derived for the animal-compatible planning of hydraulic engineering facilities (e.g. fishways) as well as concrete design specifications (e.g. for fish protection and fishways).

Vermessung der Gewässerbettgeometrie mittels Laser-Theodolit und GPS
Picture: FG Wasserbau & Hydraulik

Field Measurement Campaigns

Field measurement campaigns provide important input and calibration data for physical and numerical models. In addition, the data collected during field measurement campaigns help to evaluate the functionality of existing facilities or to identify deficiencies and their causes. Both hydrometric and geodetic measurement procedures and methods are used here.