Figure 59. Bathymetry of 3-D Cook Inlet model
Model fabrication
The Cook Inlet 3-D model was carved into Plexiglas using the programmable
router discussed in Chapter 3 and illustrated in Figure 8. Sheets of 2.54-cm-
(1-in.-) thick Plexiglas measuring 1.21 x 2.44 m (4 x 8 ft) were first cut into
smaller pieces measuring 56.64 x 121.9 cm (22.3 x 48 in.), and then three pieces
were laminated together to form a model section with a total thickness of 7.62 cm
(3 in.). The 121.9-cm (48-in.) width was then cut into two pieces and the edges
trimmed up. In other words, the model consisted of 12 blocks measuring
approximately 60.20 x 56.64 cm (23.7 x 22.3 in.) arranged into a 2 x 6 matrix
corresponding to the overall model dimensions. As mentioned earlier, the
primary reason for sectioning the model was to allow different reaches of the
study area to be placed on the flow table. The additional sectioning down the
middle of the long axis of the model was needed for the practical reason of being
able to move the blocks in and out of the flow table as needed without special