Materials Engineering and Research Laboratory

TSC Schools

Typical Long-Throated Flume

Basic Principles and Developments in Flow Measurement

This 3-day workshop presents flow measurement concepts, devices, and instrumentation for use in irrigation delivery and drainage systems. A principal focus of the class is on the use of the WinFlume software for design and calibration of long-throated flumes and broad-crested weirs. Laboratory demonstrations are used to illustrate important aspects of a variety of flow measurement instruments and methods for open channels (canals, rivers) and pressurized pipeline systems. Methods range from traditional devices to modern developments, including acoustic instruments and a range of software tools developed at Reclamation. Instructors for the class are Reclamation hydraulic engineers with 10-25 years of flow measurement research and application experience. The workshop is designed to meet the needs of canal operators, water managers, water conservation specialists, and design engineers who are interested in improving their knowledge of water measurement methods. Students should have some experience with Windows-based computer systems, but an extensive technical or engineering background is not required.

Contact: TSC's Hydraulic Investigations & Laboratory Services Group (8560)

Concrete and Concrete Repair School

Concrete technology and concrete repair techniques specific to the features and problems seen within the Bureau of Reclamation. The Materials Engineering and Research Laboratory will be presenting a 3-day Concrete Technology & Concrete Repair School which will feature instruction and hands-on training on concrete and concrete repair.

The course is intended for engineers, technicians, specification writers, technical project managers, and other staff associated with construction, modification, and repair for water resources structures. Participants attending the school will learn concrete construction and repair methods to include quality evaluation of concrete aggregates, concrete materials testing, new construction practices, techniques for repairing existing concrete structures, causes of concrete damage, and methods to identify causes of damage. Participants will gain familiarity with materials used, such as chemical and mineral admixtures and standard and non-standard repair materials.

Contact: TSC's Concrete & Structural Laboratory (8530)

Five-Million-Pound Testing Machine

Concrete Slump Test

Concrete Construction Special Inspector Certification

This course provides an opportunity to train Reclamation staff to the highest industry standard. The American Concrete Institute (ACI) Concrete Special Inspector course provides detailed instruction on many aspects for building quality concrete structures. It includes training on sampling and testing of freshly mixed concrete, conveying, placing, consolidation, and finishing concrete, as well as jointing, curing, and protecting concrete. The course also covers plans reading, and provides information on formwork installation and removal, reinforcements, and embedments. This course helps satisfy the International Building Code(IBC) special inspections for concrete construction and Reclamation Manual FAC 03-02 Directives and Standards which recommend specialized training of construction personnelin construction materials and methods utilized on Reclamation construction projects.

Contact: TSC's Concrete & Structural Laboratory (8530)

Corrosion and Protective Coatings School

Corrosion and Protective Coatings School is a three-day course offered by the Materials & Corrosion Laboratory. It is designed to familiarize participants with issues related to corrosion and corrosion protection of metals and concrete, focusing on protective coatings and cathodic protection. Topics include: an introduction to various types of corrosion, corrosion inspection and coating condition assessment, coating repair and maintenance, and fundamentals of cathodic protection. The course also presents new techniques and research projects, such as antifouling coatings for zebra and quagga mussels.

In addition to the classroom portions, this school provides hands-on experience to participants who will have the opportunity to prepare steel panels, apply coatings, inspect and test those coatings, and test cathodic protection systems.

Contact: TSC's Materials & Corrosion Laboratory (8540)

Coated Coupons

Rock Testing

Earth School

The training class will offer hands-on training on visual identification of soils using the Unified Soils Classification System; laboratory and field soils testing methods; geologic logging; and common earthwork construction testing methods. There will be a strong emphasis on the technical details of identifying and classifying soil samples. A team of well-qualified Reclamation specialists will lead the training sessions.

Contact: TSC's Geotechnical Laboratory & Field Support Group (8550)

Modern Methods in Canal Operation and Control

This 5-day workshop in the Bureau of Reclamation Hydraulics Laboratory educates canal operators, water masters, andengineers on modern methods for improving the operations of canal-based water delivery systems. The workshop utilizes a small-scale canal model that has been described as a “flight simulator” for canal operators, complete with water level and flow measurement instruments, remote-operated and automatic gates, and a simple SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system with human-machine interface (HMI). The workshop includes a combination of classroom discussions, hands-on laboratory exercises, equipment demonstrations, and fun team competitions. Students will gain: a working knowledge of the basic hydraulic characteristics of open canals, an understanding of alternative strategies for operating irrigation delivery systems and the advantages and disadvantages of different schemes, an appreciation for the potential benefits of remote monitoring and local, remote, and supervisory control of canals, and a better understanding of instrumentation, control equipment, and communications systems that support canal automation programs.

Contact: TSC's Hydraulic Investigations & Laboratory Services (8560)

Students Operating a Canal Simulator Model

Reservoir Survey Boat on Boysen Reservoir

Motorboat Operator Certification Course

The Sedimentation and River Hydraulics Group in TSC's Water, Environmental, and Ecosystems Division has established a regular Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) to meet the ongoing needs of new and experienced motorboat operators throughout Reclamation. The MOCC is instructed at the Denver Federal Center in Denver, Colorado, on a regular basis and is led by certified TSC MOCC instructors.

This course is approved by the National Association of Sate Boating Law Administrators and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. Current and valid motorboat operator certification is required by the U.S. Department of the Interior and Reclamation for any employee to operate a motorboat as part of official duties. The course covers basic boating safety concepts that students need to know if they intend to participate in on-water activities whether as part of their employment or for recreational purposes.

Course participants must be physically able to drive a Government vehicle while towing a boat, launch and retrieve a boat, and operate a boat on open water. Through in-class testing and in-the-field exercises, participants must show proficiency in these areas to receive certification. Certification is achieved through successful completion of an approved MOCC and is valid for 5 years. Reclamation motorboat operators can be recertified through successful completion of another MOCC or by taking an online refresher. Recertification must be approved by the operator’s supervisor and for TSC staff, the method for recertification is at the discretion of TSC’s Water Safety Coordinator.

Contact: TSC's Sedimentation and River Hydraulics Group (8240)

Last Updated: 8/1/24

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