Imaginary friends

img_0614.jpgAir temperature in the flume peaked just in time for the science team to arrive for the trial run. The last instruments to be installed in the flume arrived and responsibilities and task allocations were discussed. And then we dedicated a full day to trialling the installation of plant pallets in the flume, testing the frames that the FZK team had built to allow standardised photos of the plants after each run and perform sediment erosion measurements at defined points and time the different measurement techniques that we are planning to use. While it felt a bit odd to measure the leaning angle of an imaginary plant and taking photos of empty pallets, it was important to get a feel for how long each measurement takes.

Measurements on the plants and soil can only be performed once the flume is drained and for a flume the size of GWK this takes a while. And to be able to perform one test and finish the associated measurements within a day, we have to be as efficient as possible when it comes to taking the measurements. So based on the information how long individual measurements took, we then discussed the sequence of measurements and whether additional hands can speed up the process or not.

All these trials and discussions made for an intensive two days which was amplified by the ongoing heat wave. But by the time the team left again, we felt we had made good progress and can now make last minute adjustments to frames and methods in final preparation for the experiments.

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