The interaction of vegetation with waves and currents is of growing interest, especially with regard to the potential benefits of vegetation for coastal and river bank protection measures. However, the influence of individual plant parameters on wave and flow damping is not yet fully understood. The project GRADVEG (Quantification and modelling of interactive GRADients in VEGetation hydrodynamics systems) investigates how an uneven vertical distribution of the key parameters biomass, stiffness and buoyancy affects the hydraulic plant resistance. In addition, the influence of varying physical parameters (e.g. salinity of water) on the mechanical properties of plants is evaluated. The natural range of these plant parameters is recorded in the field and related to the hydrodynamic conditions in which the respective population grows. Based on the recorded values and their natural variability, artificial plants with different gradients of the three key parameters are developed and used for a detailed laboratory study. The physical experiments are supported by a numerical study to identify the relevant parameter ranges.
Project Lead Maike Paul. PhD
Team Wolfgang Max, Elina Ott
External Cooperation Partners Dr. Eduardo Infantes, Institutionen för marina vetenskaper, Göteborgs Universität, Schweden, Dr. Tim Marjoribanks, School of Civil and Building Engineering, Loughborough University, UK
Duration 2015-2018
Funding Body DFG