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HR Wallingford has an international track record of achievement in applied coastal research and specialist consultancy. We use our detailed knowledge of coastal environments and processes to deliver strategies and solutions that are sustainable in engineering, economic, social and environmental terms.

As an independent organisation, our impartial advice is backed by the expertise to use a wide range of techniques, and experience drawn from more than 60 years of coastal studies around the world. Our unique mix of know-how, assets and facilities includes state of the art physical modelling laboratories, a full range of computational modelling tools and expert staff with world-renowned skills and experience.

HR Wallingford provides a range of expert services related to coastal infrastructure including physical and numerical modelling, design and planning consultation, support for project appraisal reports (PARs) and environmental impact assessments (EIA), strategy studies and management plans, expert assessments and guidance for asset management.

Physical and numerical modelling

  • coastal structures including seawalls, breakwaters and jetties
  • breakwater and port configurations
  • intake and outfall structures
  • outfall plume dispersion
  • scour around structures, pipelines and cables
  • coastal geomorphology.

Scale model testing

  • structure stability
  • wave impact
  • scour
  • overtopping
  • consider climate change impacts.

Management guidance

  • artificial and supplemented beaches
  • dunes and cohesive foreshores
  • use of materials.

Design/location guidance

  • ports and harbours, waterfront developments, LNG marine terminals
  • pipelines, power and communication cables
  • marine renewable energy – offshore wind farms, tidal and wave energy developments.

Planning guidance

  • coastal strategy studies
  • sea defence and development scheme design
  • asset management and monitoring plans
  • project appraisals (PARs) and environmental impact assessments (EIA).

World class expertise

Many of our staff are internationally recognised experts. We have led or contributed to the development of recent guidance such as the Rock manual, the Overtopping manual, the Timber manual, the Beach management manual and the Toe scour guide.