Edinburgh University’s wave and tidal test facility framed in steel

The new state-of-the-art wave and current test facility being built by Graham Construction at the University of Edinburgh has reached a milestone as the outer steel frame has been erected.

Once completed, the facility will be able to simulate at scale combinations of waves of up to 28m high and currents up to 12 knots – ideal conditions for developers of cutting-edge marine energy technologies.

The circular 25m pool is specifically designed to mimic the normal and extreme conditions of coastlines around the UK and Europe, and will also be suitable for testing of submersible devices, remotely operated vehicles and offshore wind installation and service vessels.

Graham started on the £9.5M national facility in February following demolition of redundant buildings at the King’s Buildings campus within the University of Edinburgh.

Since then, the company has driven the piles and excavated, reinforced and poured the base of the 5.4m deep pool, as well as overseeing the erection of steelwork by contractor Alex Morton Contracts.