Experimental facilities

Experimental methods are of vital importance in hydraulics and hydrology. Laboratory and field experiments allow the analysis of complex physical systems under partially controlled conditions to understand selected physical processes. Our department uses its own laboratory and field experimental facilities for basic and applied research, contractual research or education. We are continuously upgrading our experimental research facilities to be able to obtain high quality experimental data for a wide range of tasks in hydraulics and hydrology, while keeping scientific knowledge up to date.

Laboratory hydraulic experimentation

Hydraulic experiments are conducted in the FCE Water Experimental Centre (VEC) laboratory, where we have teaching models for student laboratory excercises and a dedicated hydraulic flume for the research of multiphase flow. We have additional space and facilities at VEC for contractual research and project-based spatial and section models.

In addition to standard measuring instruments, we have a range of specialised instruments for velocity and turbulence measurements such as:

• Ultrasonic Velocity Profiler (Met Flow)
• Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (Nortek), Acoustic Doppler Velocity Profiler (Nortek)
• Particle Image Velocity System with PIV camera and 15 Hz pulsed laser (Dantec)
• 2 synchronized high-speed Photron cameras (2000 fps)

Field monitoring and hydrological experiments

Natural mountain catchments

The research focuses on the vadose zone in the hydrological system of a small catchment. Activities are mainly focused on the experimental catchment Uhlířská in the Jizera Mountains and the Liz catchment in the Bohemian Forest region. Special attention is paid to soil water dynamics and surface runoff generation. Independently or in cooperation (the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute and the Institute for Hydrodynamics of the CAS) we carry out complete meteorological and hydrological measurements complemented by specially designed equipment or assemblies that help to understand complex hydrological processes. The data obtained are used for modelling.

Urban catchments

Within the framework of urban hydrology we monitor rainfall and runoff processes in the experimental catchment area Prague - Letňany. We have a long-term cooperation with T-Mobile Czech Republic, where we collect data on attenuation from the whole telecommunication network within the Czech Republic and use it for real-time rainfall (or humidity) retrieval. 

We cooperate on monitoring and modelling of extensive green roofs operated by the University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings of the Czech Technical University in Buštěhrad

Workshops

We have fully equipped workshops where we are able to produce everything needed for demanding experiments, including model prototypes for both research projects and contracts.