Head:

Prof. Dr. Mário Franca

Address:

Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT)
Institute for Water and Environment
- Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management -
Kaiserstrasse 12
76131 Karlsruhe

Phone: +49 (0)721 - 608-44418
Email: wasserbau∂iwu.kit.edu

Visiting address:

Engesserstrasse 22, Building 10.83
76131 Karlsruhe

The challenges facing water managers and engineers nowadays are manifold, complex, and require cross disciplinary approaches. These challenges include the safety of hydraulic natural and built systems, ageing infrastructures, pollution, guarantee of energy and food security, sustainable development and safety of urban environment, ecological feedbacks and an uncertain future.

Our group develops research towards engineering solutions for the design, the planning and the implementation of sustainable water infrastructures prepared for global change. We investigate the mechanics of flowing water and its interaction with key elements of a river basin such as sediments, dissolved matter, gases, living organisms and people. More specifically, the group is committed to develop research on four main topics: sustainable and secure water for supply, food and energy; adaptive and multi-functional hydraulic systems; healthy rivers; and geophysical processes in rivers and lakes.

Experimental Study of the Transport of Microplastics in an Open-channel Bifurcation
Experimental Study of the Transport of Microplastics in an Open-channel Bifurcation

Many end-of-life plastic products, particularly microplastic waste, manage to evade treatment and recovery systems end up in numerous aquatic environments. Urban areas are the main source of microplastic generation and pollution, with particles resulting from the fragmentation of plastic packaging, the abrasion of tyres on roads or shedding from  synthetic clothing on washing machine drums.

The thesis's objective is to investigate the plastic microparticle transport mechanisms in a simplified system representative of a combined storm overflow—a bifurcation flow—using an experimental approach.

Link to the seminar PDF file
EAWAG seminar by Mário Franca
EAWAG seminar by Mário Franca

On 18 October, Mário Franca gave a seminar on “Integrating Floating Debris Transport Mechanics into Urban Flood Management“, at the EAWAG, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology , in Dübendorf.

In his presentation, Mário shared share insights from IWU-WB research, including results on the transport of plastics in rivers, the inception of motion of large debris during floods, and the inception of motion and transport of urban litter caused by pluvial floods.

These findings ultimately contribute to better management strategies for urban floodwaters and mitigation of the environmental impacts of plastic pollution.

 

See the presentation video here

Link to the seminar
Conference „Vitale Gewässer 2024“, Friedrichshafen
Conference „Vitale Gewässer 2024“, Friedrichshafen

On October 8th, 2024, Christin Kannen presented the results of her dissertation on deep pool as fish habitat at the Vitale Gewässer conference in Baden-Württemberg.

She showed practical insights and application tips for the almost 300 participants from engineering companies, state administration and other public bodies who are committed to revitalization of rivers in BW.

The lecture, "Help! The Flood is Coming! – Dealing with Flood Risks", by Dr. Peter Oberle, was presented in the "Brain Bites" series hosted by the KIT Center for Climate and Environment and TRIANGEL Transfer | Culture | Space
The lecture, "Help! The Flood is Coming! – Dealing with Flood Risks", by Dr. Peter Oberle, was presented in the "Brain Bites" series hosted by the KIT Center for Climate and Environment and TRIANGEL Transfer | Culture | Space

One of the early press releases following the devastating flood in the Ahr Valley in 2021 stated: “Such an event could not have been predicted!” But is that really true?

Historical flood markers along our rivers suggest otherwise. If we have improved knowledge about flood risks, why do we still experience billions in damages and even fatalities, as seen in the Neckar catchment area and Bavaria in June 2024?

In his lecture, Dr.-Ing. Peter Oberle explored the possibilities and limitations of sustainable flood protection and precautionary measures.

Link to the presentation
5th BAW-Workshop, Vienna
5th BAW-Workshop, Vienna

On 26.-27.09.2024, Frank Seidel and Daniel Beetz represented IWU-WB at the Workshop for Model Design, Measurement Techniques and Analysis Methods in Experimental Hydraulics, organized by the Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) and hosted by the BOKU University, Vienna.

Daniel Beetz gave a talk about practical experiences and theoretical backgrounds on Surface-PIV technique, and Frank Seidel contributed to the session about tips and tricks in hydraulics labs.

They enjoyed the open and honest discussions about issues and achievements in the daily work of labs all over the German-speaking region. Another highlight was a tour through the new hydraulics lab of the BOKU University, enabling model discharges up to 10 m³/s and 1:1 real-scale experiments

23rd YP Meeting of German-speaking Institutes for Hydraulic Engineering
23rd YP Meeting of German-speaking Institutes for Hydraulic Engineering

On 11.-13.09.2024, Katharina Stickl and Daniel Beetz represented IWU-WB at the 23rd Meeting of Young Professionals of German-speaking Institutes for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management which was hosted by the Institute for Water Management and Eco-Technologies at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences this year.

After a welcome barbecue and lab tour on the first evening, the second day provided versatile insights into the work of other YP’s during different talks and gave space for inspiring discussions. Katharina Stickl contributed a talk about Investigations on the low water corridor at the Rhine and Daniel Beetz about Surface flow pattern and bed morphology interaction in the vicinity of hydraulic structures. On the third day, the meeting ended by an excursion to the Pretzien Weir and the Magdeburg Waterway Intersection.

We would like to thank this year’s organizing committee for the great meeting and all participants for the motivating and enriching discussions.