Edge

This is where we share our thoughts in longer reads and showcase why we are at the leading edge in all that we do.

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Featured Edge articles

The curious case of a combined physical model

When building a physical model in our labs, it’s tempting to think that it could be used for more than one sort of study. In this article, Senior Engineer Dr Ian Chandler explores when models can be combined, and explains why this is not always the best option to ensure accurate results and speed.

The rare marine dunes that march through offshore windfarms

Rare crescent-shaped marine dunes, more usually seen on land, are examined in a new HR Wallingford study, published this month in the journal Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. Scientist, Amelia Couldrey, explores how our world-leading scour team went about studying the marine barchan dunes that were slowly marching across the seabed at a UK windfarm, and what they found.

Programmed for scientific success

As computer programming has advanced from the starting blocks laid down by Ada Lovelace, it has become indispensable to science. With data being vital to many HR Wallingford projects, an ever increasing number of our scientists and engineers now have programming know-how as part of their skills sets.

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Accurate scaling for huge models has layers of complexity

It is vitally important to encure scaling is accurate when building and testing huge models in our labs. Senior Engineer Dr Ian Chandler and Laboratory Manager Dr David Todd explain why the task is so complex and how accuracy is ensured

Applying our water analysis knowledge to gas and district heating tools

Our tools to analyse gas and district heating and cooling networks have been proving very popular with utility providers in Italy. Alessandro Gallina, product manager and Italy Country Manager, describes their success, future development, and wider roll-out plans.

water resources on small island nations are scarce

Small island states: opportunities for building climate resilience

George Woolhouse explores small island issues, explains our work in the Caribbean to build resilience into the system and expounds on how the work can be translated to other small islands states.

Constructing large physical models, a complex undertaking

How large, complex physical models are designed and built.

Why physical modelling has a bright future

In the age of the computer, physical modelling of coastal and offshore structures is still often the best solution.

Breaking with convention: do you really need a breakwater?

Breakwaters are expensive. So if we can show that there are other options, then massive cost savings can be made.