Stories of Science: Understanding complex coral reef coasts

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Stories of Science: Creating order in the chaos of sand and wind

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Stories of Science: Super asphalt lasts longer

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Stories of Science: What if we all share our rides?

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Stories of Science: A super model for all the glaciers on earth

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Stories of Science: Counting grains of sand to understand coastal dunes

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Stories of Science: In the mood for mud

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Civil Engineering and Geosciences

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| Stories of Science

Understanding complex coral reef coasts

Fringing coral reefs provide a sheltered habitat for many sea animals and are a snorkelers’ paradise. But they also form a natural barrier which protects the shoreline and the area further inland. Experiments using 3D printed replicas of a coral are helping Marion Tissier gain an insight into how coral reefs influence and dampen wave energy.

Reading time: 5 min

Creating order in the chaos of sand and wind

The sky is a pretty hectic place but most of the tumultuous goings-on pass us by. In order to gain a better insight into the atmospheric processes taking place nearer the ground, Frans Liqui Lung developed a simulation model showing small-scale interactions between sand and wind The resulting Master’s thesis earned him the title of Best Graduate of the faculty of Civil engineering and Geosciences.

Reading time: 5 min

Super asphalt lasts longer

Asphalt concrete is a great material for road surfacing purposes but it’s not always the most sustainable of options. Sandra Erkens, professor of Pavement Engineering Practice, is looking for ways of predicting and extending the lifespan of both existing and new pavement materials. Epoxy asphalt may well hold the key to more durable road surfaces. The end of October should see the start of the construction of a trial section on a Noord-Holland road to put the new super asphalt through its paces.

Reading time: 4 min

What if we all share our rides?

With just a few clicks associate professor Oded Cats empties the streets of Amsterdam of all cars. In a simulation model, that is. ‘Now what if we ban Uber? Or allow only trams or bike sharing services?’ From his office in the CEG faculty building Cats is experimenting with a complex computer model creating a wealth of different virtual transport scenarios. He specifically looks into new modes of shared mobility, as they have brought a whole new dynamic to our cities.

Reading time: 4 min

What if we all share our rides?

With just a few clicks associate professor Oded Cats empties the streets of Amsterdam of all cars. In a simulation model, that is. ‘Now what if we ban Uber? Or allow only trams or bike sharing services?’ From his office in the CEG faculty building Cats is experimenting with a complex computer model.

Reading time: 4 min

A super model for all the glaciers on Earth

Glaciologist Harry Zekollari has climbed and researched many glaciers around the globe. At TU Delft he is currently working on the first ever multidimensional model to represent thousands of glaciers. The model will predict the response of glaciers to climate change more accurately and provide an insight into glacier melt worldwide.

Reading time: 4 min

Counting grains of sand to understand coastal dunes

The Dutch coastline is continually changing. Coastal engineer Sierd de Vries is using ventilators, wind tunnels, drones, jet skis and laser scanners to gain an insight into the development of coastal areas and dune formation. He can often be found sitting close to the Sand Motor counting grains of sand.

Reading time: 4 min

In the mood for mud

As a biologist and soil scientist Julia Gebert often finds herself getting her hands dirty. With mud, that is. In the past two years she has many times boarded a small boat to cruise among the huge container ships in the port of Hamburg while collecting mud samples.

Reading time: 6 min

Delft model protects wind turbines from risks posed by sea ice

Researcher Hayo Hendrikse (CEG) has developed a new model that gives accurate calculations of the effects of sea ice on offshore structures, such as wind turbines and oil and gas platforms. It turns out that ice causes less wear and tear in these structures than was previously assumed. Thanks to a successful partnership with Siemens Gamesa, Hendrikse's model is now being used in the construction of new offshore wind farms.

Reading time: 3 min

Moved by moving water

Newton’s law of universal gravitation is good news for the Dutch. Ice melting in Greenland and the Arctic glaciers has caused the Netherlands to rise by about 4 centimetres over the last century. Riccardo Riva has been studying the effects of moving water masses from one place to another.

Reading time: 4 min

Evacuating virtual buildings

Virtual Reality (VR) is not just about gaming or flight simulators. At TU Delft, PhD Yan Feng is investigating how it may help explain the behaviour of pedestrians. It took her just five months to teach herself how to create a complex virtual building. By then she had built an exact replica of her faculty building and invited real people to explore and evacuate it. So how did they find their way around?

Reading time: 3 min

Globally mapping air pollution

Satellites are the best available measuring instruments to detect man-made pollution worldwide. Atmospheric scientist Pieternel Levelt initiated OMI and TROPOMI, two of the most prestigious measuring instruments for the detailed mapping of harmful pollutants in the atmosphere. TROPOMI, the latest of the two, is capable of identifying and studying sources of pollution with even greater precision. The recently launched satellite will also be monitoring the main greenhouse gas emissions.

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Coral in close-up

Master’s student Paul van Wiechen has manually crafted 384 coral replicas out of silicone plastic moulds. Production time: a painstaking 48 hours. He has planted all of them on the bottom of our large flume set up in the Waterlab. His goal: to understand exactly how waves transform in coral reefs. If corals are bleaching due to climate change, what will happen to our world’s coastlines if the natural systems protecting the shore disappear? Read more in our Story of Science: Understanding complex coral reef coasts. 

Coral in close-up

Master’s student Paul van Wiechen has manually crafted 384 coral replicas out of silicone plastic moulds. Production time: a painstaking 48 hours. He has planted all of them on the bottom of our large flume set up in the Waterlab. His goal: to understand exactly how waves transform in coral reefs. If corals are bleaching due to climate change, what will happen to our world’s coastlines if the natural systems protecting the shore disappear? More soon in Stories of Science.

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