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Water Resources Engineering Research

layoutOpen-Channels and Sediment Transport. Turbulence and Turbulent Jets. Wave Mechanics. Coastal and Riverine Sediment Transport. Hydrologic Modeling. Hydraulic Structures. Physical Modeling. Experimental Investigations. Numerical Modeling. Field Studies.

The general focus of the program is on the movement and behavior of surface and subsurface water and their interaction with each other and with natural and man made conditions. In the applied fluid mechanics area, hydraulics and hydrology, turbulent fluid mechanics, coastal engineering, vortices in pump intake structures, sediment transport, hydraulic structures and energy losses, and contaminant transport can be studied in depth.

Below is a sample of current and recent research projects conducted by the fluids group.

  • Turbulent jets
  • Reservoir sedimentation
  • Coastal engineering
  • Scour at bridge piers and abutments
  • Sediment transport
  • Rainfall distribution and frequency
  • Lake evaporation
  • Contaminant flux from contaminated sediments sites
  • Modeling of channel confluences
  • Modeling of air entrapment in vertical drop shafts

Sample Theses and Dissertations

  • A Laboratory Study on Submerged Breakwaters
  • Sediment Transport Upstream of Orifices
  • Turbulence Models and the Behavior of Shear Flows
  • Evaporation Estimation Using a Floating Pan
  • Investigation of Flow Field Upstream of Orifices
  • Subaqueous Contaminated Sediment Capping Design Effectiveness
  • Numerical Model Studies of Turbulent Jets
  • Numerical Modeling of Flow in Open Channel Confluences
  • Dimensionless Rainfall Patterns for the Design of Hydraulic Structures
  • Using Vaned-Grating Baskets to Reduce Pump Vibration
  • Impact of Curtain Wall Placement in Pump Intakes
  • Determination of Drag Force on Flexible Vegetation
  • Flow Separation Downstream of Equal and Opposing Flow Junctions in Open Channels
  • Rainfall Depth-Duration-Frequency Relationships for NC, SC, and GA
  • Circular Intake Design For Solids Handling Pumps
  • Determination and Variation of Discharge Coefficients for Hydraulic Sparger Design
  • Development of a Design Procedure for Vaned-Grating Baskets to be used in Submerged Pump Remediation
  • Evaluating the FHWA Guidelines for Abutment Scour in Relation to Scour under Natural Conditions
  • Alternative Formed Suction Inlet
  • Recommendations for Dimensioning Circular Pump Stations with Five Pumps
  • Nearshore Wave and Current Measurements and Prediction: Folly Beach, South Carolina
  • Longshore Sediment Transport along the South Carolina Coast
  • Interstitial Pore Water Flux through Streambeds of Varying Composition
  • Directional Spectral Water Wave Analysis including Mean Horizontal Current
  • Bioturbation and Porewater Exchange in a Laboratory Flume
  • Assessment of Leachate Generation Using the HELPQ Model
  • Local Scour at Abutments under Simulated Hydrographs
  • The Effects of Roughness Element Spacing on Boundary Layer Velocity Profiles and Pressure Distribution on a Cube.
  • Calculation and Prediction of Longshore Sediment Transport Gradients and Application to Beach Nourishment Projects
  • Estimation of Evaporative Losses due to Reservoir Construction
  • Long-term Numerical Simulation of Morphology of Tidal Inlets
  • An Evaluation of Two-Phase Flow Modeling of Suspended Sediment Transport
  • Predicting Hydraulic Piping at Culverts
  • Predicting Potential Flood Hazards at Embankment Crossings
  • Wind Tunnel Study of Pressure Coefficients on Roof Corners
  • Modeling and Assessment of Scour at Bridges
  • Woody Debris Accumulation at Bridge Piers
  • Effect of Reservoir Construction on the Hydrologic System of Lake Bowen, South Carolina
  • Development of Model to Determine Hurricane Wind Speeds and Directions
  • A Parametric Study of the Cross-Flow Turbine Performance
  • A Hydrological Model for Routing Contaminants in Disposal Facilities
  • Effect of Random Roughness Element Height in Wind Tunnel Simulation of Low Rise Structures
  • Prediction of Evaporation Rates for Open Water Bodies
  • Hydrologic Study of Catawba Lake System
  • Establishment of Evaporation Rates for SC
  • Evaluation of Stream Functions by Polynomial Approximation of Equipotential Lines
  • A Model for Suspended Sediment Concentrations from Conservation Laws
  • Multiple Dye Studies in a Tidal Creek,
  • Groundwater Solute Transport Modeling Using a Three dimensional Scaled Model
  • Application of the Vapor Budget Method for Measuring Evaporation at Savannah River Plant
  • Sediment Transport in the Upper Flow Regime
  • Modeling the Consolidation and Drying of Dredged Material
  • Vapor Budget Measurement of Evaporation from Irrigated Surfaces
  • Laboratory Investigation of Unsteady Axisymmetric Jets
  • One dimensional Mathematical Thermal Hindcast Model
  • Laboratory Investigation of Vertical Bulkheads
  • Feasibility of Physical Modeling of Groundwater Leachates
  • Efficiency of Highway Storm Water Inlets
  • Analysis of a Desiccant Aided Evaporative Cooling System
  • A New Method for Developing Entrainment Rate Models for Turbulent Flows and Its Application
  • A New Vapor Budget Technique for Evaporation Measurement from Open Water Bodies
  • Development of a Vapor Budget Method for Measurement of Evaporation
  • Physical Hydraulic Models of Thermal Discharges
  • Far Field Physical Models of Thermal Discharges
  • Laboratory Investigation of Shoaling Patterns at Tidal Inlets