protection for eartli dams, as well as to provide information on wave runup on reservoir 

 shores.^ ^^ These additional uses partly determined the tank's final dimensions of 635 feet 

 long, 15 feet wide, and 20 feet deep. The other design details of the wave tank and wave 

 generator were worked out under the direction of Joseph M. Caldwell, both analytically and 

 through use of one of the smaller BEB wave tanks as a scale model for the proposed large 

 facility. 



The concrete tank proper was built in late 1949 to early 1950;^^^ Figures 25 to 30 show 

 the construction work under way. But the Korean War, which began in the fall of 1950, 

 resulted in a cutback of financial support to the BEB's research program. Tliis, in turn, 

 curtailed for several years the procurement and installation of the remaining equipment 

 needed for the facility, particularly the large wave generator. During this interim period, 

 however, the staff was able to utihze the tank to some degree by using a small, portable 

 wave generator^ ^^ (Fig. 32). Then in the spring of 1954, the BEB received the funds needed 

 to finisli the project; the large generator was obtained and installed, and in October 1955 

 the completed large wave tank facility was officially dedicated. Waves up to 6 feet in height 

 could be generated with this equipment, and the wave period could be varied from 3 to 16 

 seconds. Figures 34 and 35 show the facility being demonstrated to U.S. Army, Corps of 

 Engineers officials, shortly after completion. This wave tank was then, and as of this writing 

 still is, the only one of such proportions in the world. 



A second major addition to the research facilities of the BEB which was planned at the 

 same time was the shore processes test basin. The idea for such a basin had first been put 

 forth back in August 1943.^^^ Designs and estimates were prepared at that time but no 

 money was allotted. ^^^ The concept was revitalized during this post-World War II period. 

 Construction of the test basin, alongside the 635-foot-long wave tank, was also slowed by 

 the Korean War. However,' the facility, which consisted of a 3-foot-deep concrete basin 

 measuring 300 by 150 feet, and equipped with 10 movable wave generators, was available 

 for partial operation in 1953^^*^ (Figs. 37 and 38). The shore processes test basin allowed 

 the BEB staff to carry out original work on a number of studies, particularly those 

 pertaining to floating breakwaters and to beach processes, tlie latter involving the use of 

 movable bed materials.* 



The hiatus between passage of the research legislation in 1945 and start of construction 

 of the BEB's new test faciUties is attributed, in part, to the innovative character of the 

 action. No program in coastal research of this scope and magnitude had ever been 

 undertaken before, either by the Corps of Engineers or any other research group in the 

 country. Thus, time was required for interpretation, staff reorganization, planning, and 

 design. Then too, these years immediately following World War II were a period of great 

 flux for American society. The entire country was experiencing a major readjustment. 



*The main problem encountered with this facility was that it was out of doors and thus exposed to the vicissitudes 

 of the weather. This curtailed its usage more than had been expected. Experiments in the 635-foot-long wave tank 

 were of a different nature and were less affected by weather conditions. 



52 



