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Founded in 1967, Crystal Fountains is now a globally recognized leader in the commercial water feature industry. With a history of product innovation, design, commercial and custom manufacturing, the company has expanded from one office to offices in Canada, U.A.E, Singapore and Poland.
www.crystalfountains.com
Introduction
Basic Design Principles
In nature, water moves through the environment in an endless variety of ways. There are a multitude of water movement techniques available to the designer.
Elevated water tables - water effect height to offset distance ration 1:1.5
Monolithic structure divides water body from main pool reducing waves
The WaterWall
The basic principal behind this feature is an elevated water source, usually a trough, with a level and consistent overflow edge. It is especially important that the leading edge or lip of the overflow coping allows for even and clean water movement. A weir strip is often incorporated to allow for leveling adjustments as required. A projected coping or weir cape will likely require a drip channel be cut into its underside in order to prevent the water from running back under the weir coping. Recessed reglets or channels are typically located at each end of the waterwall to prevent water tracking over the adjacent surfaces. Waterwall materials can vary from stone to glass to stainless steel and can take many forms such as shingled or shiplapped. Each material and material configuration can create varied effects from clear stream flow to highly aerated flows. Also consider uplighting as this can help to create a far more dynamic and ever-changing visual appearance.
The WaterFall
Contemporary waterfall features are generally composed of freefalling water flows. Consider the volume of water that is intended to flow over the top edge of such a feature. As with any vertical feature, different water flows can have dramatically different characteristics. Varied heights can also have a significant impact on the water effect and on the potential splash issues that may result at the bottom of a vertical feature. Also consider different types of freefall such as laminar flow and divided/compartmentalized flow.
Atrium lighting
Spouting
Traditional spouts have been used to create large vertical drops with low volumes of water. Usually complemented with an architectural facade or plaque these effects create a sense of source for large bodies of water. Large hedge row effects can be used to suppress much of the splash of large elevation drops.
Increased slope. As the slope increase, the velocity of the stream increases and the water depth decreases As the stream changes direction the flow of the outside speeds up, turbulence increases
A heavy texture on the bottom and or side, particularly in conjunction with high velocity will cause substantial turbulence
As the stream encounters obstructions, directional changes and increased velocity cause surface turbulence
Runnels
Runnels form a physical link between separate areas of water. The two types of formal channels are known as rills and canals. Rills are narrow (max. 12 inches across) Runnels are larger scaled rills
Sequenced Solutions
Adding sequencing devices to a fountain can result in a very versatile and visually dynamic design feature. Water character can take the form of a highly choreographed and elegant fountain that is intended to complement the surrounding architectural forms and hardscape. It can also be designed to form the heart of a childrens interactive feature with both random and rhythmic bursts. There are some basic considerations when incorporating sequenced elements within a water feature: When designing these features consider different lines and shapes that can help to create unique patterns and chase sequences. Intersection of lines and shapes also allows for alternate paths and interference patterns too. The integration of multiple sequencing devices such as choreoswitches, leaping laminar and fog effect can all be enhanced with the use of LED lighting. With standing water massing these LED lights can be also be used to create chase sequencing and colour washing throughout the display. By adding a variable frequency drive device to selected pumps multiple heights can increase the overall display 10 fold.
Sequenced Solutions
Operating Heights Consider if the feature is to be used strictly as a showpiece, as an interactive piece or as a dual-use element. Always be mindful of safe operating heights when designing interactive water features. Excessive water flows can lead to serious user injuries. Sequencing Speeds As with a piece of music, water effects can be choreographed to various speeds and rhythms. The desired mood and character of a particular show will dictate which speeds are appropriate. Music - Sequenced water effects can be further advanced with the integration of music. The element of music usually adds considerable complexity and costs to a choreographed water feature. Music added to a large exterior space has the additional challenge of having to consider time delays to ensure the water and sound effects are synchronized. Quantity and Types of Water Jets Many jet effects can be utilized. The right water effect positioned at the correct spacing and overall configuration can enhance or limit the types of sequencing that can be used. For example, a circular configuration with a minimum quantity of jets allows for such dynamic sequences as the tilting plate. Types of sequencing devices include: the burst jet, the Choreoswitch and the leaper / laminar. Lighting Adding lighting effects, especially color changing, adds yet another dimension that can be crucial especially for commercially driven pieces.
Leaper devices can be activated at 0.1 second creating unique patterns. The only product that when the water is cut of the projectile still follows the parabolic curve on the normal operation. Play with the layouts and cross over patterns to create unique visual experience.
Sequencing fog effects can add dramatic quality to a water feature display. Sensitive to wind and humidity these effects are best utilitized in childrens interactive features and large water bodies. Each system requires a pneumatic system to drive the device and a fresh water source. Fog effects create excellent mystery and a blanket covering effect for other sequencing device to emerge from.
Burst jet effect. Creates a larger vertical effect that can be captured in a pool approximately 30 feet wide (interior conditions only). Excellent effects for multiple site lines and levels with open atriums. Creates an sense of scale and drives attention to the space and the key focal point of the development.
The Vortex
The vortex is a natural occurring effect that can be mimicked within a pool. Created by large volumes of water being pushed around a funnel structure created by the interior pool surface. A large drain line is required. The effect can be dramatically increased by including a variable frequency drive where the overall water volume can be controlled from a small water skin to a large turning vortex that can overcome the structural elements of the water surface and effect the entire pool. Additional effects that may increase the aesthetic impact may included a large vertical column within the black hole and LED lights that can be programmed to turn in an alternative direction that the swirling water.
Uphill Waterfalls
An uphill water display is simply a row of very closely positioned aerating jets that are individually valved and properly pressurized to reach their upward destination with the right amount of water. The aerating jets shoot water up a slanting base. This water is collected at the top at a mock weir. The top structure captures the aerated water so spectators dont actually see the jets finish their trajectory. The mock weir consists of a cap overhanging the spray and a shallow, hidden cavity for the water to drop into. The most interesting aspect of this feature results from deflected water that runs back down the incline to create a near herringbone effect in combination with the uphill flow.
Water Voids.
An aesthetic a nominally that can appear within a reflecting pool or water body. A distinctive shape appears within the water surface as a structural void is slowly drained. Numerous shapes and configurations can be used to emphases trends or iconic symbloys in the surrounding architecture. Interior surface to match the pool structure and should be uplite to provide optimal effect during night. Multiple voids and LED lighting can create a sublte sequence effects. Ideally for elevated site lines and provide unique viewing experience from multiple angles.
Application Test
Hydraulic testing is used to determine the feasibility and design criteria for prototypical effects and or to fine tune such items as weir configuration, splash containment, textured water walls or effect development. Tests may be conducted by the designers to determine a system design or verify a material effect. Test must generally be conducted at full scale, since hydraulic factors such as surface tension are constant or vary in a non linear fashion. For most testing a single spout a short length of weir (5 feet) or a small area of water wall surface is adequate. The construction of the test assembly, the variables to be evaluated, and the performance criteria should be carefully specified prior to testing in order that each item such as a weir profiles, surface textures, water wall joints, drip notches, pool depths, splash patterns, and jet heights can be evaluated as fully as possible. Where appropriate, two or three variation of each critical item should be tested.
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