THESEUS Deliverable ID2.5: Report on Physical Tests on Innovative Coastal Structures, Final Version

The present report gives an overview of the performed and planned physical model tests in WP2 of the EC THESEUS project. The general aim of WP2 is the development of innovative methods for mitigation of flooding and coastal erosion hazard in the context of increasing storminess and sea level rise.

The tested technologies are:
- by reducing incident wave energy with a totally innovative solution, wave energy converters placed near-shore (WT 2.1, Part B), and with multi-purpose coastal defences characterised by low environmental impact, as artificial reefs (WT 2.2, Part C) and floating breakwaters (WT2.4, Part E);
- by increasing wave overtopping through an innovative dike reinforcement or by increasing wave overtopping resistance, through improved stability of dike inner slope and use of dike covering layers (WT 2.3, Part D);
- by upgrading breakwater armour and crown elevation of existing defences to account for sea level rise (WT 2.5, Part F);

The objectives of WP 2 are measurable and verifiable as the WP can show steady progression from innovative concepts through modelling to verified results. Based on the climate scenarios developed within WP 1, and on literature review, the WP progresses with physical model testing, numerical modeling and selected prototype activities within a risk based approach. Throughout this process verifiable design methodology and best practices for innovative defences will be documented.