Composite modelling for large-scale experiments on wave–dune interaction

The research describes the design aspects related to the large-scale physical model experiments conducted within the EU-Hydralab III IntegratedInfrastructure Initiative, at the Canal d’Investigaciò i Esperimentaciò Marìtima, Laboratori d’Enginyeria Marìtima at Universitat Politècnica deCatalunya, Barcelona. The aim of the experimental investigation is to enlarge the knowledge on dune erosion, overwash and breaching processesduring storm surges. An innovative ‘composite’ numerical model has been adopted to reach a model test set-up valid to observe dune erosion, overwash and breaching. The use of the proposed approach provides a better insight into the physical problems thereby, reducing the uncertainties in selecting the optimum wave characteristics to be reproduced in the flume for a given beach–dune geometry.