The random wave tank is 20m long, 0.45m wide and 0.9m high. It has a working water depth of 0.7m at the wave paddle. The wave frequency range is approximately 0.4 - 2Hz (0.5 - 2.5s wave period range); maximum wave height is stroke-limited at low frequencies and breaking-limited at high frequencies. The maximum wave height achievable is approximately 0.3m at a frequency of about 0.9Hz. The wave paddle is bottom-hinged and equipped with wave absorption control so that an extremely stable and predictable wave environment is produced, even for experiments involving structures with high levels of wave reflection. The paddle and data acquisition are computer controlled. Various waveforms can be generated, from simple single-frequency waves to complex seas synthesised from typical sea wave spectra. The flume is glass-sided throughout its length and it has a raised floor constructed from thick marine ply, making it easy to mount structures and equipment within the flume.
The random wave flume is used for a wide range of coastal and offshore engineering studies including: wave interaction with coastal structures such as seawalls and breakwaters; the dynamics of moored structures in waves; sea-cage and floating breakwater studies; wave energy studies; wave transformation in shallow water; wave behaviour at reefs, etc.