1.2. BRIEF HISTORY OF HYDRAULIC MODELING
3
provide repeatable calibration and verification data for numerical models
for some time to come, but he foresees the emphasis of physical modeling
will continue to shift from the overall general modeling of coastal systems
toward the study of basic and complex physical interactions.
Yalin (1971) provided rationale for continued support of physical modeling in support of project design when he stated, “Theory cannot cover
all the complications that are encountered in practice. Consequently, most
major hydraulics projects are model tested to optimize design. ”
1.2 Brief History of Hydraulic Modeling
The study of hydraulics in a scientific manner is thought to have begun
with Leonardo da Vinci in the 1500’s. Da Vinci was one of the first to
describe and sketch several flow phenomena (profiles of free jets, velocity
patterns in vortex) through visual observation during experiments (Price
1978).
The first theoretical treatment of similarity criteria of mechanical processes occurring under different scales is attributed to Isaac Newton (16421727). Newton also formulated the rule of corresponding velocities, which
is the ratio of velocities created by the action of gravity in similar motions
at different scales (Ivicsics 1980).
The first known scale-model experiments were conducted by an Englishman, John Smeaton, in 1752-1753. His tests were aimed at determining performance of water wheels and windmills (Hudson, et al. 1979). Smeaton did
not employ mathematical relations between corresponding model and prototype quantities, but he pointed out the importance of such relationships
(Ivicsics 1980).
In 1852, French professor Ferdinand Reech first expressed a form of
what is now known as the Froude criterion of similitude (Rouse and Ince
1957). While studying the dynamic resistance of vessels with the help of
models, he developed the rule for converting velocities and forces from the
model to the large prototype (Ivicsics 1980).
Froude, in the 1870’s, made measurements with ships in a towing flume.
Measurement data obtained in the model were evaluated using similar rules
as developed by Reech. Froude checked his results against the prototype
by scaling up model results using Reech’s rule. Ivicsics (1980) noted that
Froude’s tests did not satisfy fully what is now known as the Froude similarity criterion, yet the dimensionless number bears his name.
The earliest known movable-bed tests in a river model were conducted
by Frenchman Louis J. Fargue in 1875. Fargue built a model of a section of
the Garonne river to demonstrate the correctness of the regulation measures
3
provide repeatable calibration and verification data for numerical models
for some time to come, but he foresees the emphasis of physical modeling
will continue to shift from the overall general modeling of coastal systems
toward the study of basic and complex physical interactions.
Yalin (1971) provided rationale for continued support of physical modeling in support of project design when he stated, “Theory cannot cover
all the complications that are encountered in practice. Consequently, most
major hydraulics projects are model tested to optimize design. ”
1.2 Brief History of Hydraulic Modeling
The study of hydraulics in a scientific manner is thought to have begun
with Leonardo da Vinci in the 1500’s. Da Vinci was one of the first to
describe and sketch several flow phenomena (profiles of free jets, velocity
patterns in vortex) through visual observation during experiments (Price
1978).
The first theoretical treatment of similarity criteria of mechanical processes occurring under different scales is attributed to Isaac Newton (16421727). Newton also formulated the rule of corresponding velocities, which
is the ratio of velocities created by the action of gravity in similar motions
at different scales (Ivicsics 1980).
The first known scale-model experiments were conducted by an Englishman, John Smeaton, in 1752-1753. His tests were aimed at determining performance of water wheels and windmills (Hudson, et al. 1979). Smeaton did
not employ mathematical relations between corresponding model and prototype quantities, but he pointed out the importance of such relationships
(Ivicsics 1980).
In 1852, French professor Ferdinand Reech first expressed a form of
what is now known as the Froude criterion of similitude (Rouse and Ince
1957). While studying the dynamic resistance of vessels with the help of
models, he developed the rule for converting velocities and forces from the
model to the large prototype (Ivicsics 1980).
Froude, in the 1870’s, made measurements with ships in a towing flume.
Measurement data obtained in the model were evaluated using similar rules
as developed by Reech. Froude checked his results against the prototype
by scaling up model results using Reech’s rule. Ivicsics (1980) noted that
Froude’s tests did not satisfy fully what is now known as the Froude similarity criterion, yet the dimensionless number bears his name.
The earliest known movable-bed tests in a river model were conducted
by Frenchman Louis J. Fargue in 1875. Fargue built a model of a section of
the Garonne river to demonstrate the correctness of the regulation measures