The new state-of-the-art wave and current test facility being built by GRAHAM Construction at the University of Edinburgh has reached a major milestone as it hits its highest point.

Once completed, the All-Waters Combined Current and Wave Test Facility will be able to simulate at scale combinations of waves of up to 28 metres high and currents up to twelve knots – ideal conditions for developers of cutting-edge marine energy technologies.

The circular 25 metre 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 Construction started on the £9.5 million national facility in February following demolition of redundant buildings at the King’s Buildings campus within the University of Edinburgh.

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Since then, GRAHAM has driven the piles and excavated, reinforced and poured the base of the 5.4 metre deep pool. 



Paul McBurney, project manager at GRAHAM Construction, said: "GRAHAM has considerable experience in creating swimming pools around the UK, but this is on a different scale and offers some interesting construction challenges.

"We’re constructing this in reverse to how we would normally build a swimming pool: instead of creating the pool tank first and then building the structure on top, we’re building this from the top down to allow the client fit-out team more time to finalise the design of the interior.

"The tank itself is capable of holding 25 million litres of water and will be one of the most sophisticated facilities of its kind in the world once it comes on stream.



"Construction work at the Current and Wave Test Facility is progressing on schedule and we remain on target to hand the building over for installation of the scientific gear before the end of the year."

Once fully open in summer 2013, the facility will be managed by FloWave TT, a not-for-profit subsidiary of the University of Edinburgh.

Stuart Brown, CEO of FloWave TT Ltd, added: "I am very pleased to be able to complete the roofing of the facility at this early stage.

"GRAHAM’s excellent progress thus far provides further confidence that our facility will be open for business in time to meet the expected surge of demand from researchers, marine device developers and industry, and we very much look forward to achieving continued good progress in bringing this national test facility into being."

(GK)