Field experiment: which type of dune protects us the most?
Commissioned by TU Delft, hydraulic engineering companies Van Den Herik-Sliedrecht and Boskalis have constructed approximately 100 meters of a temporary hybrid “test dune” between Monster and Kijkduin, in which a number of hard and sandy elements are incorporated. This unique field experiment aims to provide insights into how hybrid dune constructions erode during storms, as well as the interaction between the soft and hard elements. These findings will contribute to designing hybrid dunes that are more efficient, effective, and safe in the future. The project is led by postdoctoral researcher and civil cngineer Daan Popperma, with support from NWO and Rijkswaterstaat.
The hybrid dune consists of four sections, each featuring different soft or hard elements, including: sandy dune, dike-in-dune, dike, and barrier in dune.
The sandy dune is composed entirely of sand, while the dike-in-dune and dike each incorporate a hard dike slope in their designs. The barrier-in-dune, on the other hand, contains a hard core of containers within its sandy structure.
During the coming months, the behaviour of the test dune and its erosion during storms will be closely monitored. A wide range of measuring instruments will be used for this purpose, measuring the current, wave attack and dune erosion around the set-up. At the end of the experiment, around February-March, the set-up will be removed again. After that, the extensive analysis and modelling of the measurement data will begin to investigate how the different parts of the test dune have behaved.
Watch the video to get to know more about the field experiment
View larger
Last modified: 21/01/2025