Details

This study focussed on the coastal area near Westkapelle, since this location is considered to be ‘complex’ for regular safety assessment studies. In this project it is demonstrated that a 2D model approach enables detailed analyses of the effects of alongshore processes on (dune-) erosion processes. A comparison with a 1D approach is made based on simulations for normative storm conditions and several settings for the angle of main wave attack.
Simulations of super-storm conditions showed the effects of processes related to dune breaching and flooding events. Several types of landward boundary settings are tested in order to study their impact on the simulated inundation areas and flow characteristics, after a dune breaching event. Based on one of the model runs that resulted in flooding, examples are presented of so-called hazard maps that indicate possible safety issues along the coastline. As output of an Operational Model System (as developed in a parallel research-project) these hazard maps are useful for end-users to monitor the current state of coastal stretches, in order to identify threats in early stages.