5% - eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

angle iron (figure 3a,b). The perspex base was bedded down on
putty 1 along these main channels, supported at its middle by a
75mmx50mm joist and at 0.46m intervals either side of this joist
by neoprene rubber mounted on 6mmx25mm bars.
Each side was constructed in two 2.75m sections as a rectangle
of 38mm angle iron with 6mmx38mm bar at 0.46m intervals. A 2.75m
perspex sheet was bedded on putty and fixed with set pins to the
side piece, the threads being sealed with putty. Two sections
were joined in situ with putty seals to form a side-wall, which
was placed on a putty layer on top of the perspex base sheets and
bolted into place. Side arms were added to hold the flume walls
upright under the weight of water.
2.2 Suction and discharge tanks
The end tanks were constructed from a number of trays formed by
bending and welding 304 stainless steel sheets (figures 4a,b and
figure 5) . The trays were spot-welded together to form a box and
the edges of this box tungsten welded to give a watertight seal,
mechanical strength being added with angle iron straps around the
girth of each tank. Each tank was then mounted on an angle iron
stool and bolted to the flume with putty added to give a seal.
2.3 Pump and piping
A 12kW cast iron pump with 200mm suction and 150mm discharge
Compound B sealing putty from Braithwaite Ltd, Newport, Gwent.
2-5