IRTCES News:  Headed by Prof. Wang Yangui of the IRTCES, a Chinese delegation consisted of specialists from the IRTCES, IWHR, Yangtze River Scientific  Research Institute, Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research and Pearl River Institute of Hydraulic Research visited Exeter University, Cardiff University in UK and University of Padova and CESI RICERCA SpA in Italy from June 23 to July 4, 2006.

Invited by Prof. Des Walling and Prof. G. Disivio for discussing future initiative and plans of the WASER, the delegation firstly visited Prof. Des Walling, President of WASER at Exeter University, and then visited Prof. G. Di Sivio, Vice President of WASER at University of Padova in Italy. The delegation reported about progress of membership, institutions and activities of WASER, discussed future development of WASER and reached consensus regarding some issues. 

Discussing with Prof. Des Walling regarding WASER

Discussing with Prof. G.Di Sivio regarding WASER

The delegation also visited Environmental Water Management Research Centre, Cardiff University (http://www.cf.ac.uk/engin/research/water/erdf), Prof. Roger Falconer met the delegation and briefed achievements and progress of the projects and model development of the Centre and accompanied the delegation to visit Cardiff Bay where the numerical model DIVAST was set up. The Centre was first established at Cardiff University in 1997. It is directed by Professor Roger Falconer and Dr. Binliang Lin. The Centre has an international reputation for its research work in hydro-environmental modeling and is involved in projects world wide.

The Centre’s 2-D model DIVAST has been mounted by over 30 UK companies for environmental impact assessment studies and by over 40 universities in 18 countries for research purposes. This model has been extended to 1-D and 3-D, with the models including a range of water quality indicators. The Centre also has a large well-equipped hydraulics laboratory, which is used for data acquisition for developing and refining the Centre’s hydroinformatics software tools.

In order to meet both hydraulic stability and ecological requirements and thus successfully create, manage and enhance various ecological habitats, the Centre has developed hydro-morphological model and Eco-hydraulics Morphodynamic Model as well as sediment transport model of the Bristol Channel.

The delegation visited CESI RICERCA SpA (Http://www.cesiricerca.it/default_e.asp) and had a seminar with experts from the CESI. During the Seminar, a welcome address from CESI RICERCA was firstly given by Dr. R. Ambrogi-FSP Director and then followed by four presentations of the Environment and Sustainable Development Department by Ing. A. Negri-ASV Director, Numerical modeling of sediment transport and river morphology-experiences of the ALPRESERV Project by Eng. M. Peviani, Numerical tools and pilot studies developed in the frame of the Electrical System Research-RDS by Eng. A. Maffio and Dam Safety-monitoring and numerical modeling by Eng. G. Mazza.

After a coffee break, three presentations were given by the Chinese delegation. Firstly, Prof. Liu Xiaoying presented achievements and activities in the past over 20 years by the IRTCES,  then, Mr. Mao Jixin gave a account on IWHR with focus on Department of Sedimentation, IWHR and Mr. Zhang Xibing introduced progress of mathematical modeling study undertaken in the Yangtze Scientific Research Institute.  At the end of the seminar, Dr. A. Nigro, ASV Director and Prof. Wang Yangui, Group Leader of the Delegation expressed wishes to strengthening exchange, cooperation and share of experience and research results between both sides.