Collaborative Research: International Research Experiences for Students (IRES): Global Flood Resilience Program – Convergent Research Experiences to Increase Resilience in Flood-Prone Communities
(Sponsor: National Science Foundation)
Flooding is among the costliest natural hazards in the United States (U.S.) and around the world. Addressing flood risk and the damage it causes requires an integrated investigation across different disciplines, sectors, and international boundaries. The International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) Global Flood Resilience Program (GFRP) between the U.S. and South Korea serves the critical need for comprehensive research education programs. The GFRP is designed to develop U.S. students as researchers and practitioners to address complex flood-related problems both in the U.S. and globally. Read more …
Nearshore Circulation and Sediment Dynamics on the Upper Texas Coast
(Sponsor: Texas General Land Office, collaborating partner: HR Wallingford)
As part of this research project, CEL is gathering new field data to further our understanding of nearshore wave and current conditions in Region 1 of the Texas Coast (upper Texas coast including Galveston Island) with a focus on identifying the presence of nearshore currents that reverse the dominant longshore direction in some monthly or seasonal periods, evaluating their potential to impact nearshore sediment transport pathways, and estimating alongshore sediment transport quantities. Read more …
Developing a Framework for Modeling Texas Coast Waves and Validation
(Sponsor: Texas General Land Office)
The project goal is to outline a comprehensive framework for generating reliable wave information along the hurricane-prone Texas coast, including nearshore areas and embayments. The framework relies on examining several numerical modeling options, emphasizing recent research and compatibility with NOAA technologies and will provide guidance on where to best deploy buoys based on sensitivity analysis. The goal includes data validation via a short-term field hydrodynamic measurements, SWAN numerical wave modeling using blended hurricane data, and developing “probability of occurrence” statistics in the nearshore. Read more …
Transportation Access over Dunes: Nature-Based Coastal Infrastructure for Flood Protection and Beach Access
(Sponsor: Department of Transportation)
This research project is conducted as part of a Tier 1 DOT CREATE Transportation Center lead by Texas State University. The objective of the project is to assess the feasibility of using various bio-cementation techniques to strengthen dune drive-overs subject to vehicle traffic and storm impacts. Read more …
Quantifying Vessel Propeller Wash Impacts on Sedimentation in Shallow-Bay Waterways
(Sponsor: Department of Transportation)
This research project is conducted as part of a Tier 1 DOT CREATE Transportation Center lead by Texas State University. The objective of this research project is to measure propeller wash dynamics and quantify resultant sediment suspension caused by deep-draft vessels in the field. This will be accomplished using a vessel-mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and echo sounder system capable of high-resolution 3D velocity and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) measurements throughout the water column. Read more …
Comparative Assessment of Total Water Levels for Coastal Military Facility Readiness and Resilience Using Numerical Models
(Sponsor: Department of Defense, Environmental Security Technology Certification Program)
This project compares model predictions of coastal flooding at representative military facilities near coastal waters with the goal of identifying the best practice for any facility. Projections will be made at three installations using historical extreme events and a range of sea-level rise scenarios. Simulations will be performed using empirical, statistical, and numerical models that account for different physical processes whose importance may vary depending on the installation’s hydrodynamic and offshore bathymetry regime.
International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) Flood Resilience Program (FRP)
(Sponsor: National Science Foundation)
In recognition of the growing societal need to better understand flood impacts and the lack of systematic international research experiences for students, the IRES FRP between the U.S. and the Netherlands aims to provide transformative multi-disciplinary international research training and education to the next generation of leaders facing the societal challenge of increasing flood hazards.
Read more …