IIHR Archive

Hydraulics Laboratory and Annexes

            The Hydraulics Laboratory is IIHR’s initial and central structure, and it has played a crucial role in IIHR’s history. Through the years, it has been remodeled many times to meet IIHR’s changing needs and research approaches. This record group includes the papers related to the construction and physical restructuring of the Hydraulics Laboratory through time. It also includes material on construction of the ship model towing tank, ice model towing tank, and IIHR’s research annexes.

            The record group consists of six archival boxes.

Box 1. Estimates, Construction - 1920, 1928, 1932

• Terrell Mill Brochure

• Floor Plans – First Floor, Undated

• Land Purchase 1920, 1930

• Estimates of Building Costs 1920, 1932?

• Hydraulics Lab Plans 1928

• Drawings of North Wing of Hydraulics Laboratory 1928

• Computations for Density 1928

• “Memorandum on Proposed Hydraulic Laboratory”  (Nagler, unpublished, 1930)

• Extension of Foundations / River Canals 1931 (Correspondence, bids)

• “Specifications of the General Contract for Substructure…” 1932

Box 2.  Construction, Future Plans 1932 – 1939

• Floor Plans and Construction Specifications, Laboratory Extension 1932

• Bench Mark Elevations, Indenture of Property 1932

• Addition for Offices on South of Existing Laboratory, notes and plans by Mavis, undated

• Design Data & Computations For Design 1932

• Miscellaneous Correspondence, Plans 1933

• General Floor Plans 1933

• Construction and Maintenance 1935

• Land Purchase of Boston Property South & West of Hydraulics Laboratory 1934 – 1935

• Specifications for Repairs for Headgate in River Channel, written by Mavis, Mid-1930s (Correspondence & Sketches)

• Water Distribution Systems 1935 – 1936

• Planned Extension 1936 (Sketches, Costs, Original Photos)

• University Water Supply Line 1936

• Floor Plans Used in Various Articles 1936

• Floor Plans 1939

Box 3.  Equipment 1928 – 1936

• 10” Venturi Meter blueprints 1928

• Hydraulic Demonstration Table 1930-1936 (Instructions & Blueprints)

• Sump Pump 1931 (Blueprints & Correspondence)

• Assembly of Sluice Gate and Type “MIO” Stand 1931 (Blueprint, Correspondence)

• Sluice Gates, Venturi Meter, 48” pipeline 1931, 1934 (Blueprints, Correspondence)

• Brake Pulley 1931 (Blueprint)

• Centrifugal Pumps 1931-1933 (Bids, Blueprints, Proposals)

• Flap Valve 1928, 1931 (Blueprints)

• Weighing Tanks 1933 (Blueprints)

• Slope Table 1933 (Design, Blueprints, Correspondence)

• Railing Along River Flume, Estimates by O.J. Baldwin 1934

• 30” Flume (wood and glass) constructed 12/1935 for H.D. Davis’ Tests 1935

• Glass Flume, USDA & IIHR  1935-1936 (Sketches, Blueprints)

• Head Gate, Hoist 1931 (Correspondence & Blueprints)

• Head Gate Data / Design 1935 – 1936

• Hopper Partitions & Outlets 1936 (Plans & Blueprints)

• Memorandum & Specifications for Wiring Pump and Motor in South End 1935-1936 (Blueprints, Correspondence)

• Stevens Recorder Operating Instructions Undated

Box 4. Towing Tank Construction, Mid – 1950s

• Correspondence, Bills 1954 – 1955; also paper, “The Iowa Towing Tank” (anon, unpublished)

• Loads on the South Wall 1955 (Computations, Notes, Sketches)

• Electrical 1955 – 1956

• Overhead Trolley 1955 – 1956

• Steel 1954 – 1955

• Wire Rope 1955 – 1956

• Hydraulic Drives 1955 – 1957

• Transmission, Gears, Etc. 1955 – 1956

• Cleaning, Santobrite 1950s

• Miscellaneous 1955 – 1957 (Includes Photographs)

Box 5. Ship Towing Tank, Ice Model Towing Tank  1950s-1997

• Towing Tank Design Computations, 1950s. Two folders.

• Towing Tank Remodeling, LDV, PIV,  1987-1997

• Ice Model Towing Tank Design, Construction,  1978-1981. Two folders.

Box 6. Remodeling Efforts, Construction of Annexes 1980 - 1998

•        Elevator Renovation  1980

•        Construction of Wind Tunnel  1983

•        Stairwell Replacement, Fire Escapes  1986

•        Howe Conference Room  1987

•        Proposed Remodeling, First, Second, Third Floors  1990

•        East Annex Addition  1991

•        Fifth Floor Remodeling  1993-94

•        Ice Lab Refrigeration  1994

•        Electrical Power  1994-95

•        Remodeling Wind Tunnel Annex  1994, 1997

•        Third Floor Remodeling  1995

•        Roof  1995

•        Constructing Oakdale Annex II  1996

•        First Floor Renovation  1997

•        Wind Tunnel Upgrade, Proposed  1998

(processed 6/2002)

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