This document presents the wave and current flume tank of IFREMER at Boulogne-sur-mer. This facility is unique in Europe because of its size and capabilities. The experimental working section is 4m wide by 2m deep and 18m long. Two pumps with a total power of 500kW enable the 700m3 of fresh water to move with a maximum velocity of 2.2m/s. Wave can be superimposed to the current using a dedicated wavemaker. It can be located at an upstream of downstream surface position in order to generate wave propagating with or against the current.

Additional specific experimental devices are used in the laboratory as well, such as: Laser Doppler Velocimeter, Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter, Particles Image Velocimetry, underwater and aerial Qualysis Motion Tracking system or a 6 degrees of freedom motion generating system called hexapod. Many mono and multi-components waterproof transducers, with wide force measurement ranges, are available. Combined with an in-house and modular acquisition system, any kind of tension-based sensors can be recorded, with a 25kHz maximum sampling frequency.

Because of its original characteristics and specific equipments, this experimental facility can be used to carry out various hydrodynamic studies in different fields: oil and gas, naval hydrodynamics, marine renewable energy or wave-current-structure interactions. Continuous improvements and equipment upgrades enable this facility to respond to a growing demand of experimental tests in all these hydrodynamic areas.