Department of Earth and Environmental Science

Douglas J Jerolmack

Penn Sediment Dynamics Laboratory

Hayden Hall – Room 56 (in the basement)
Phone: (215) 746-3203

Research in the laboratory centers on experiments in the recirculating sediment flume and experimental delta basin.  The lab hosts a Camsizer grain size analyzer capable of very precise grain size measurements over a large range of sizes.  Computer modeling, carried out using open-source software such as Octave and Python, is carried out on Ubuntu-based Dell Precision desktops.   The lab also contains a variety of equipment for field research, including: hand-held differential GPS, hand-held acoustic flow meter for fluid velocity measurements, and RFID chips for tracing the movement of cobbles in streams. 

Recirculating Sediment Flume

• Length of flume: 12 feet
• Width of flume: 6 inches
• Height of flume: 17 inches
• Slope angle adjustable from 0-20 degrees.
• Large collecting tailbox
• Recirculating pump can move sediment up to pea-gravel size.  Voltage regulator allows for smooth adjustment of discharge.
• Currently being used for experiment on formation of step-pool bedforms.  Also planned are experiments on gravity currents and sandy bedforms.
• Flow observations made with acoustic doppler velocimeter.

Experimental Delta Basin

• Length of tank: 12 feet
• Width of tank: 6 feet
• Precision feeder controls sediment discharge.
• 2D laser scanner for accurate reading of delta topography.
• Delta / fan evolution analyzed through ImageJ processing of automated overhead photography
• Base level controlled by constant head tank at outlet.

Camsizer

• Measures sizes of individual sand grains by rapid imaging of a granular cascade.
• Instantaneously produces statistics on grain size distribution and grain size angularity to a high-level of precision.
• Reliable measurements for grain sizes ranging from 50 microns to 1 centimeter.

Computers

• 2 Dell Precision T3400 desktops
• Ubuntu 8.10 OS
• Dual-monitor display
• Commonly used open-source software includes: Octave, ImageJ, Python, OpenOffice

Other Equipment

• hand-held differential GPS
• hand-held acoustic flow meter for fluid velocity measurements
• RFID chips for tracing the movement of cobbles in streams