A measurement and expertise centre with 90 years’ experience
CESAME’S hydraulics laboratory was created in 1936 to study and validate the hydraulic design of hydroelectric and navigation structures on the Rhone using physical scale models. This laboratory has been endowed with new skills regarding measures, monitoring and control. What for? To contribute to ensuring the safe, efficient and optimised operation of the hydraulic developments on the River Rhone.
A condensate of multidisciplinary skills
A unique engineering centre, CESAME gathers close to 100 specialists. It concentrates essential skills called on to support the operating teams. Its expertise is used regularly for the international projects carried out by CNR on behalf of external clients:
- Hydrometry
- Hydraulic modelling
- Hydraulic performance measures
- Measures of civil engineering monitoring
- Materials engineering
- Control and monitoring of hydraulic structures
- Sediment management
Activities that contribute to controlling CNR’s industrial technical risks
Its activity is distributed according to seven structural orientations:
- Designing complex hydraulic projects aided by scale physical models (video on the optimisation of hydraulic projects using physical and hybrid modelling tools);
- Measuring discharges and influxes of sediments;
- Monitoring morphological evolutions of the Rhone and its tributaries;
- Managing the sediment dynamics of the river and forebays;
- Evaluating the quality and ageing of materials used for the structures;
- Controlling the behaviour of hydraulic structures (video on the operation and monitoring of dikes);
- Innovating in the service of projects, operation and safety.
Expert skills in scale physical models
At CESAME, the physical modelling laboratory pursues a highly specific mission: designing, optimising and validating technical solutions to complex hydraulic problems. How? By building physical hydraulic models that represent, using large- or small-scale mock-ups, pressure and free surface flows. When the studies require, this analysis and pedagogical communication tool also allows carrying out studies taking into account morphological changes caused by the sediments transported in rivers, torrents and reservoirs.
CESAME’s experts also master hybrid modelling techniques that combine the respective advantages of physical and numerical models in complete synergy. This unrivalled experience in the hydraulic design and hydrodynamic analysis of civil engineering structures (dams, spillways, hydropower plants, locks, pumping stations, etc.) also serves our external clients to design efficient and optimised solutions in terms of construction and operating costs.
CESAME’s experts are also proficient in hybrid modeling approaches that seamlessly combine the strengths of physical and numerical models.
This unparalleled experience in hydraulic design and hydrodynamic analysis of civil engineering structures (dams, spillways, hydroelectric power plants, locks, pumping stations, etc.) is also leveraged for our external clients to design high-performance solutions optimized in terms of construction and operating costs.
A commitment to ensure quality materials for structures
To meet CNR’s own requirements, CESAME has developed specific tests to evaluate the quality and durability of the structural materials used for the constructions (soils, concretes and rockfill). How? By measuring these materials’ resistance to impacts, abrasion and freezing/thawing cycles.
Some of these tests performed on-site, and in the laboratory have become references for many project managers. This knowhow has therefore led our specialists in materials engineering to assist external clients who wish to validate the choice of a material prior to its utilisation.
An approach of constant innovation
Vital to ensure safety and optimise the performance of CNR’s industrial assets, innovation lies at the heart of CSEAME’s activities. How do these innovations emerge? Through the creativity of operational teams and long-term collaborations in clusters and specific institutions with our various partners.
At present, 50 RID projects have been launched by CNR, of which half driven by CESAME.
Sharing experience in France and abroad
CESAME shares the experience acquired by CNR in the design, operation and maintenance of the developments on the Rhone by participating in the main leading edge national and international groups involved in measures, control, flow modelling and hydraulic structures:
- French Committee on Dams and reservoirs (CFBR)
- International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD)
- International Association for Hydraulic Research (IAHR)
- European Work Group on International Erosion (EWGIE)
- World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC)
- Francophone Hydrography Association (AFHy)
- French Standardisation Association (AFNOR): hydrometry, hydraulic turbines, rockfill, etc.
- Hydrotechnical Society of France (SHF)
Contact the CESAME
Reception and information: +33 (0)4 78 61 60 00
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Test, Monitoring, Analysis and Operational Measurements Centre (CESAME)
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