Simulating WAve Surf-zone Hydrodynamics and sea bed morphology

Danish coastal regions are under increasing threat, due to naturally erosive
longshore sediment transport patterns, storm surges and associated flooding, as
well as anticipated effects of climate change (sea level rise of up to 1 m in the next 100 years, coupled with increased storminess in N. Europe). Building on a recent breakthrough in turbulence modeling, SWASH aims to increase fundamental knowledge in complicated (breaking-wave) surf and swash zone hydrodynamics through combined numerical and experimental research. These efforts will lead to an increased understanding of cross-shore sediment transport processes, and significantly improve the present ability to predict/model morphology of the sea bed. Such developments will benefit society by enabling a more scientific approach to coastal protection/management, e.g. in the assessment of the response to "hard" structures, as well as "soft" sand nourishment schemes, commonly used to mitigate beach erosion in Denmark and worldwide.