Designing Asymmetric structures to Generate Oblique Surf Waves in Rivers

Recreational river waves are gaining more and more popularity, but there is not enough academic research to support them and a few companies around the globe can artificially create them by adjustable structures in rivers. Surf Anywhere, the Calgary-based partner organization in this research, is one of those few companies which has completed and is working on many wave projects in Canada, USA and Europe. Our team investigated, and tried to provide a technical instruction for design of adjustable wave structure that can generate wave in every river condition and on a horizontal bed (unlike common technologies, this does not need a drop!). In previous season of this research, a symmetric structure was investigated (through computer simulations) to generate perpendicular waves. In this season, the asymmetric arrangement of the structure would be investigated (through physical modeling in a hydraulic laboratory) to create oblique complex waves resembling more to attractive ocean waves. The ultimate purpose of this research is to facilitate design of ideal structures that could provide most attractive and safe waves with minimum cost.

Faculty Supervisor:

Colin Rennie

Student:

Puria Asiaban

Partner:

Surf Anywhere

Discipline:

Engineering - civil

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Ottawa