We want to conduct groundbreaking research by testing real trees with extreme waves in the enormous Delta Flume at Deltares. In this research we will address the most pressing knowledge gaps about the role of trees in flood risk management. What can willow trees in the floodplains of our rivers contribute to limiting flooding of dikes and embankments? Was the presence of mangroves an essential protection of coastal communities during the Asian tsunami? These aspects can only be estimated, predicted and modeled to a limited extent, as prototype measurements under extreme conditions and in a controlled environment are not available. This research will answer the question whether the protective capacity of trees is fact or just fiction…
To better quantify the effect of willows and mangroves on wave height reduction, we will place 40-60 meters of willow in the world’s largest wave flume, the Delta Flume near Deltares. The Delta Flume is 300 meters long, 5 meters wide and has a depth of 7.5-9 metres. Wave heights up to 4 m (Hs = 2.2 m) can be generated, making it possible to test vegetation at full scale and improve models for extreme wave conditions.
