The internal wave tank for naval architecture and ocean engineering can simulate oceanic density stratified flow, background internal solitary wave in oceans, underwater vehicle internal wave as well as large size vortex in density stratified fluids. The internal wave tank has the the most comprehensive technical functions in China. It has the main dimensions of 30m×0.6m×1m and is mainly equipped with the following experimental facilities, instruments and devices:

Density stratification system: the fluid density stratification is made by flow injection duplex method and it can generate density-stratified fluid with required density profile.

Internal solitary wave generation system: the system is equipped with a self-developed dual-propulsion plate servo wave generator, which is capable of generating internal solitary waves at various pycnoclines, within a maximum functional distances of 0.25m. It is mainly used for the research of the generation mechanism and characteristics of oceanic background internal solitary waves, their loading characteristics on various offshore structures and their theoretical prediction models. Presently, the theories subjected to the feasibility of on internal solitary waves such as KdV, eKdV and MCC of depth-limited two-layer fluids, and theoretical model on loads exerted by internal solitary wave for semi-submersible, Spar, TLP and TEPSO deepwater platforms have been established.

Internal solitary wave absorbing system: a wedge-shaped wave absorbing device is set at the end of the tank, which absorbs internal wave energy to suppress reflected waves.

Towing system: it is composed of a towing vehicle system and a circular towing system with a maximum speed of 3m/s. The system is mainly used for the research of the internal waves and large size vortex formed by underwater vehicles. Innovative achievements have been made in the transition characteristics and theoretical model of internal waves generated by underwater vehicles, and in the mechanism and performance of large size vortexes generated by underwater vehicle momentum trail. Meanwhile, the system is also used in the research of active flow control of underwater vehicles using electromagnetic force. Innovative achievements have been made in the flow characteristics of electromagnetically controlled circular cylinders and hydrofoil shape structures.

Non-contact six degrees of freedom motion meter: the laboratory has a non-contact six degrees of freedom motion measuring system, which can accurately measure the six degrees of freedom motion of ships and ocean engineering structures under the action of internal waves.

Internal wave dynamic measuring system: the 64-channel internal wave measuring system, designed by the lab, can make real-time measurement and analysis of the characteristics (waveform duration, amplitude and phase speed) of density profile, internal solitary wave and internal wave generated in underwater vehicles. 

Flow field PIV measuring system: the system is mainly used for the measurement and analysis of the induced flow field of internal solitary waves, internal wave excited by underwater vehicles, and large size vortex generated by underwater vehicle momentum trail.

Wind-generated surface tension wave system: the system can be used to carry out the experiments of wind-generated surface tension wave modulation of induced flow field of internal solitary waves, internal wave in underwater vehicles, and large size vortex generated by underwater vehicle momentum trail. The measuring instruments of modulation signals include CCD linear array technology and radar.

Director: Yunxiang You　　Tel: +86-21-34202721　　Email: youyx@sjtu.edu.cn