IIT Madras Launches Shallow Wave Basin, Asia’s Largest for Research and Innovation

IIT Madras launches Asia's largest Shallow Wave Basin to tackle challenges in Indian ports, waterways, and coastal engineering, catering to research and industry needs. Check details here

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has inaugurated Asia's largest Shallow Wave Basin Research Facility, designed to address the research and industrial needs of India. This cutting-edge facility showcases the advanced research and technical expertise of IIT Madras and underscores the nation’s capabilities in this domain. Located at the ‘Discovery’ Satellite Campus in Thaiyur, approximately 36 km from the main IIT Madras campus. This one-of-a-kind facility is designed to tackle complex challenges in Indian ports, waterways, and coastal engineering. Featuring a multi-directional shallow wave basin, it enables the study of intricate wave and current interactions.

The facility has been developed by the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways, and Coasts (NTCPWC), a hub for technological innovation and groundbreaking advancements in the port and maritime sector. Serving as the technology arm of the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, NTCPWC provides essential technological support to ports, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), and other relevant institutions.

Highlighting the significance of this Shallow Wave Basin Research Facility to India, Prof. K. Murali, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “This facility will position IIT Madras in the international arena as one of the institutes that operates the large-scale shallow wave basin for research and industry applications. We no longer need to depend on technology from other countries for the generation of waves in laboratory.”

Elaborating further, Prof. V. Sriram, also from the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “I can proudly state that, except a few items that we needed to import due to non-availability, rest of the Shallow Wave Basin was truly a ‘Make in India’ initiative. It was indigenously developed with most of the fabrications of the wavemaker done within IIT Madras itself. The entire architecture, communications and designs were made in-house for the operations and sustainability of the facility over the long term.”

Prof. Torsten Schlurmann from Leibniz University of Hannover, Germany, home to the world's largest wave-current flumes and basins at the university level hailed the new research facility as a significant milestone in advancing knowledge and innovation. A long-term collaborator with IIT Madras, he emphasized that this facility will enhance IIT Madras’ reputation as a global leader in marine science and engineering. It will enable groundbreaking research and foster international collaboration across diverse disciplines.

Shallow Wave Basin

This cutting-edge research facility supports both fundamental studies and application-based projects, focusing on the impact of 3D waves on structures. It is ideal for projects related to harbours, coasts, offshore structures, inland waterways, and shallow water manoeuvring. Key applications include studying sediment transport, mobile bed modelling, wave impact loading, and climate change effects. Unique features like a mobile wave maker allow simultaneous testing of coastal structures, floating solar plants, and more, making it one of the most advanced facilities of its kind globally.

The basin's large dimensions and modular wave makers enable the simultaneous handling of multiple projects. It can generate waves, currents, or a combination of both. Currently, the facility can produce wave periods ranging from 5 to 18 seconds and significant wave heights of up to 3 meters, easily replicable at a 1:10 scale or larger. Additionally, the circulation system around the tank will soon be operational, allowing efficient current generation within the basin.

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