Abstract:
A practical solution for the control of a bed profiler
system with automatic data transfer to a computer is presented.
The system is intended for recording the profiles of variable
shape sediment bottoms in hydraulics physical models. The new
instrument corresponds to a modern design of a classic one, with
better performance. New features include higher robustness and
speed, improved power drive and motor control in the vertical
motion control, as well as a microcontroller based unit for x, y
coordinate recording and serial communication with a PC. The
new system has been used in an experimental hydraulic flume for
the study of reservoir sedimentation, in order to characterize
both high grain sediment (delta deposition) and low grain
turbidity currents for the validation of mathematical models.
Experimental results are shown to demonstrate the appropriate
performance.
