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 Integrated Infrastructure Initiative, at the Canal d'Investigaciò i Esperimentaciò Mar‘ıtima, Laboratori d'Enginyeria Mar‘ıtima at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona. The aim of the experimental investigation is to enlarge the knowledge on dune erosion, overwash and breaching processes during storm surges. An innovative ‘composite’ numerical model has been adopted to reach a model test setup 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.