UCB Towing Tank - Richmond, CA

Originally designed for testing of ship models, the UC Berkeley/Naval Architecture Ocean Engineering Tow Tank (Figure 1) is currently used for experimental setups in wake vortex research.   The tank has a cross section of 2.4 m lengthwise and 1.5 m depth over a distance of 70m. 

Figure 1.  Lengthwise picture of the Tow Tank

On the sides of the tank are two rail on which carriages traverse the tank.  Experimental setups can be placed on-board the carriges with models suspended in the water.  The larger of the two carriages is being used for the rotor-wake vortex experiments.  The smaller is used for fixed wing vortex studies.   

Figure 2.   Large Carriage

At the center of the tank, a clear lucite window allows for views across the width and height for that length of tank.  (Figure 3)  It is here that cameras and lasers are setup for particle image velocimetry (PIV) and flow visualization.   

Figure 3.  Tow tank viewing window.