Extension to GWK+
The Large Wave Flume (Großer Wellenkanal, GWK) in Hanover-Marienwerder was built in the years 1979 - 1983 as part of the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Center SFB 79. With a usable length of around 300 m, a width of 5 m and a depth of 7 m, it is still one of the largest wave flumes in the world. Since its construction, it has served national and international research interests dedicated to the development of waves and their interaction with a wide variety of structures.
Until now, only waves could be generated in GWK. With the expansion of renewable energy generators on the sea, foundation aspects of such structures and the influence of tidal currents came more into focus. In 2017, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) therefore granted the marTech project (maritime technologies) with 35 million Euros to upgrade the wave flume with a powerful current system, a deep part for examining foundation structures and a more powerful wave maker. The construction work has been completed and the new GWK+ has gone back into operation with selected pilot projects.
The metrological recording of complex processes in the interaction of waves, currents and structures requires the use of a wide range of measurement technology. FZK can therefore provide a large number of different measuring devices, which are continuously being expanded in accordance with technological developments in this area.
