Large-scale Barrier Dynamics Experiment II (BARDEX II): Experimental design, instrumentation, test program, and data set

Abstract

Despite the increased sophistication of numerical models and field techniques for investigating wave-induced nearshore sediment transport and ensuing beach morphological response, there remains a significant demand for large-scale laboratory experiments to address this research topic. Here, we describe the Barrier Dynamics II experiment (BARDEX II), which involved placing a near prototype-scale sandy barrier in the middle of the Delta Flume in the Netherlands and subjecting the structure to a range of wave, tide and water level conditions. A unique aspect of the experiment was the presence of a lagoon behind the barrier, as often occurs in natural barrier settings, providing a convenient means to experimentally manipulate the groundwater hydrology within the barrier. The overall aim of the BARDEX II was to collect a large-scale data set of energetic waves acting on a sandy beach/barrier system to improve our quantitative understanding and modelling capability of shallow water sediment transport processes in the inner surf, swash and overwash zone. In this paper we introduce BARDEX II and provide a detailed description of the experiment, including the experimental design, instrumentation, test programme and data set, as well as presenting some examples of the morphological and hydrodynamic data set. We also reflect objectively on the strengths and weaknesses of the data set. This paper serves as an introduction to a special issue of Coastal Engineering, solely devoted to the results of BARDEX II.

Intrawave sand suspension in the shoaling and surf zone of a field‐scale laboratory beach

“…The Barrier Dynamic Experiment II (BARDEXII) was conducted in the Delta flume in Vollenhove, The Netherlands, in 2012 [ Masselink et al , ]. The initial bed profile consisted of a 4.5 m high, 5 m wide, and 75 m long sandy (median grain diameter D 50 =430μm, mean grain size = 510 μm) barrier.…”

“…Additionally, a 3‐D Profiling Sonar was deployed at x = 63.1 m to obtain circular elevation models of small‐scale bed forms in between wave runs and information on ripple migration during the runs [ Ruessink et al , ]. Moreover, three Argus type cameras were deployed [ Masselink et al , ] to collect information on the location of wave breaking. Breaking waves generate white foam and are therefore easily recognized on these images.…”

Geometry of Wave-Formed Orbital Ripples in Coarse Sand

“…The data analysed here were collected in the large-scale Delta flume facility of Deltares in Vollenhove, The Netherlands as part of the second Barrier Dynamics Experiment (Bardex II; [30]). The barrier, which filled the entire 5-m width of the flume, was constructed from coarse (D 50 = 430 µm; mean grain size = 510 µm; D 16 = 280 µm; D 84 = 830 µm), moderately sorted (0.81φ) and coarse-skewed (−0.24φ) quartz sand that contained a small amount of gravel (≈1%, >2000 µm) [30].…”

Shortwave Sand Transport in the Shallow Surf Zone

“…The second field campaign was conducted at the moderately sloping (1:35) Sand Engine (SE) beach, a meganourishment (de Schipper et al, ) near the town Ter Heijde, also in the Netherlands, in the autumn of 2014 (de Bakker et al, ). The flume measurements were collected on a steep beach profile (initially 1:15) during BD (Barrier Dynamics Experiment II) in the Delta Flume in the summer of 2012 (Masselink et al, ). The median sand grain size d 50 was 200, 350, and 420 μm for AM, SE, and BD, respectively.…”