- To get familiar with the applied theories of scale modeling for hydrotechnical projects (river, coastal, hydraulic structures, and hydromechanics).
- To determine when scale modeling should be performed compared to field, analytical, and numerical methods.
- To interpret the results of physical modeling, and
- To avoid common pitfalls in physical modeling of hydrotechnical phenomena involving interaction of water with sediment and/or structures.
- Hands-on class exercises, group tests, and demonstration on scale models.
- Educational video clips.
- Real-life case studies.
- Softcopy of technical literature.
- Four hydrotechnical investigation methods:
- Analytical
- Scale modeling
- Field
- Computational
- Similitude rules.
- Physical understanding of Reynolds, Froude, Weber, and Mach numbers.
- Choosing the right scale.
- Laboratory and instrumentation requirements.
- Measurement of discharge, velocity, pressure, depth, and force.
- Visualization methods.
- Scale modeling for:
- Pressurized flow, and
- Hydraulic structures: dams, spillways, gates, etc. (a live demonstration).
- Erosion and sedimentation (a live demonstration).
- Coastal and marine projects (a live demonstration).
- Hydromechnaical structures;
- River engineering, and
- Flood studies.
- Case studies in physical modeling of hydrotechnical phenomena (video demonstration).
- Desk-study problems and solutions.
- A group, hands-on scale modeling test.
- Special topics:
- Physical modeling versus numerical modeling: advantages and disadvantages,
- Distorted models, and
- Critique of reports on physical modeling.
- Common mistakes in physical modeling.
- Five take-away messages.
- Engineering, hydrotechnical, and environmental professionals from engineering firms or provincial and federal authorities with zero to 20 years of experience dealing with implementation or interpretation of physical modeling.
- Graduate students working on experimental research topics involving laboratory models.
Note: Please bring a calculator to the session.
Senior Discipline Specialist (Hydrotechnical), Bergmann Associates
Dr. Saied Saiedi (P.Eng.) is a civil engineer with 29 years of engineering and academic experience in Iran, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, and USA. His hydrotechnical interests cover a wide range: free surface flow (hydraulic structures, sediment transport, hydropower dams, river engineering, etc.), coastal structures and processes, floating offshore structures, flood studies, stormwater management, and dam safety review. He has developed, managed, and reviewed several numerical and physical modeling works. His COUPFLEX model (J. of Hydraulic Engineering, ASCE, May 1997) is among the first coupled simulations of unsteady river-sediment flow.
Dr. Saiedi designed and oversaw the construction of a flume for river, wave, and sediment studies at Water Research Laboratory (UNSW, Sydney, Australia) in 1991–1992. The facility has been since used for many projects involving riverine flows and coastal waves.
For several years in the 2000's, Dr. Saiedi served NAHRIM (National Association of Hydraulic Research in Malaysia) as the senior adviser for coastal engineering projects. He managed and technically led a design project on erosion protection and rehabilitation works related to a major hydropower facility in Malaysia in 2006–2007. Also, while working for PETRONAS (Malaysian national oil and gas company), Dr. Saiedi trained several groups of engineers from various engineering disciplines to enter the realm of marine engineering through five applied courses. In 2006–2008, Dr. Saiedi conceptually designed and oversaw the construction of a large wave flume and a large wave basin at UTP (PETRONAS’ university) for applied research projects in the areas of coastal and offshore engineering. He also conceptually designed a large versatile flume for physical modeling of river and coastal studies for UTP in 2014–2015.
While working in Canada, Dr. Saiedi led or participated in design and investigations for hydropower plants and dam facilities in Canada and overseas. Dr. Saiedi has extensive concurrent academic experience in Iran, Australia, and Malaysia as an Associate Professor in civil engineering. He has shared over the years his hydrotechnical experience with professional engineers through several innovative short-courses in Canada (Vancouver) and US (Michigan).
Dr. Saiedi was the Director of Progress International Consultants (Vancouver), Hydrotechnical Discipline Lead (Western North America) of Hatch based in Vancouver, and Technical Adviser (Canada) to ATB Riva Calzoni, an international provider of hydromechnaical equipment for hydropower dams. Since early 2017, Dr. Saiedi has been involved in the hydrotechnical investigations for the design (proposal stage) of the Gordie Howe International Bridge across Detroit River.