FROM GWK TO GWK+: EXTENSION OF THE LARGE WAVE FLUME TO A UNIQUE EXPERIMENTAL FACILITY FOR OFFSHORE AND COASTAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH

The Large Wave Flume (GWK) of the Coastal Research Centre, Germany, has been a well-known and extensively used experimental facility for coastal and offshore engineering research. Following an extensive research and design phase which commenced in mid-2017 incorporating funding proposals, international tender and procurement procedures, construction works commenced in September 2020 for a major extension of GWK to build the new GWK+. The Large Wave Current Flume, i.e. GWK+, stipulates unprecedented possibilities for physical modelling efforts on wave-current-structure- soil interactions. The flume went back into operation in September 2023 starting with the first project on soil liquefaction under progressive waves. The unique modelling capabilities of GWK+ are likewise attractive for unique and novel research approaches related to the fields of coastal or ecological engineering. Research on the stability of dune vegetation and structures on dikes are planned to commence in late 2024 until mid-2025. The present manuscript and talk at ICCE2024 will primarily provide insight into the new features and testing potentials of GWK+ and discuss future challenges in the realm of offshore renewable energy and coastal engineering research where physical model experiments in GWK+ are supposed to make a major contribution.