Modeling & Design RefinemenT
A DATA DRIVEN APPROACH
Modeling results inform adjustments to reef crest elevations, arm placement, reef dimensions and construction materials. No final design will be approved until objectives are met and the project performs as expected.
The RE:BEACH Pilot Project design is informed by technical evaluation of surf and wave interactions, sand retention and shoreline processes. The site was selected to avoid high-use surf areas while addressing stretches of shoreline most impacted by erosion. To guide design decisions and ensure the project meets its objectives, the Project Team is conducting:
Numerical Modeling
More than 45 reef configurations were tested in over 900 simulations. These analyses evaluated wave height, swell direction, tidal variations, sand retention, current patterns, and potential downdrift impacts.
Physical Wave Modeling
A 1:35 physical scale model of the Oceanside coastline, including the proposed reef and headlands, was tested in a 160’ x 87’ directional wave basin in O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory, at Oregon State University. Wave behavior, sediment transport, and currents were measured under controlled conditions.