Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
WINNIPEG — It could be the best $25,000 taxpayers ever spent — if the dikes hold when the rivers rise.
The University of Manitoba unveiled a handmade, unpretentious gizmo Thursday that’s essentially a wave pool testing whether various protective devices can withstand the pressure of floodwater and wind.
“It’s to see how these flood fighting structures can handle the waves,” explained the project’s head boffin, civil engineering Prof. Shawn Clark.
Behind a simple fence in one corner of SmartPark, U of M can generate different levels of floodwater, program in different wind levels, and then blast that water at a variety of devices meant to hold the flood at bay.
On Thursday, it was a four-foot-high sandbag called the Wave Breaker being tested, a product of the Winnipeg company ITW Syn-Tex Bag.
Each Wave Breaker is intended to replace dozens upon dozens of old-fashioned sandbags and eliminate the backbreaking labour of the hordes of volunteers that come out each spring when our floodwaters rise.
“We can have different wave structures” while adjusting the effects of wind, Clark said. “We’ll measure how much water seeps through and under.”
The research team, which includes engineering students, will even toss in a log or two to see what happens. “Debris can be under the water,” pounding into dikes, Clark pointed out.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been using such a device for many years, he said. The overall grant of $250,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada covers the project, including labour, but Clark said the materials used to build the wave pool only cost $25,000.
“This technology will be very helpful, obviously, to all the citizens of Manitoba,” said Winnipeg South Conservative MP Rod Bruinooge. “The studying of (flood) water is going to be tested here at the U of M.”
Clark said people threatened by floodwater will sleep better at night if they know the materials in their dikes has passed the test.
“It will allow the province’s flood flighting co-ordinators to have extra confidence in at least one of the tools” available to them, Clark said.
The wave pool will not be covered for year-round experiments, but researchers will continue to test diking materials this summer and resume in the spring of 2013.
Clark said the province has been out to the site and is carefully watching U of M’s research.
» Winnipeg Free Press
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition August 18, 2012
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
WINNIPEG — It could be the best $25,000 taxpayers ever spent — if the dikes hold when the rivers rise.
The University of Manitoba unveiled a handmade, unpretentious gizmo Thursday that’s essentially a wave pool testing whether various protective devices can withstand the pressure of floodwater and wind.
Already subscribed? Login to view full article.
Not yet a subscriber? Click Here to Signup
WINNIPEG — It could be the best $25,000 taxpayers ever spent — if the dikes hold when the rivers rise.
The University of Manitoba unveiled a handmade, unpretentious gizmo Thursday that’s essentially a wave pool testing whether various protective devices can withstand the pressure of floodwater and wind.
A subscription to the Brandon Sun Newspaper is required to view this article. Please update your user information if you are already a newspaper subscriber.
Most Popular
Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments
You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.