Project Title: Characterization of coastal flooding in beaches
Doctoral Candidate: Buckle SUBBIAH ELAVAZHAGAN
Project Description: The research focuses on characterizing cross shore hydromorphodynamics and flooding in beaches based on beach profile types and storm wave conditions using the RANS based 2DV IH2VOF-SED numerical model. The model with no free parameters and low computational time effectively models the hydromorphodynamic processes. The research evaluates hydromorphodynamic responses of unconfined, vegetated (under-confined), and upper- confined (seawalls) beaches during episodic wave events. Key objectives include analyzing infragravity wave effects on breaker bar dynamics, assessing the role of seagrass meadows
in wave attenuation and sediment transport, and quantifying overtopping and scouring near seawalls. Validations are conducted using large-scale laboratory datasets under regular, bichromatic, and irregular wave conditions. The study aims to improve predictive capabilities of beach morphodynamics and support coastal protection measures and also scientific understanding of cross-shore processes.