NMDC Dredging & marineCostal & hydrodynamic center

The state-of-the-art NMDC D&M Coastal and Hydrodynamic Center, which spans approximately 2800 sqm, allows engineers to simulate and validate the impact of hydrodynamic environmental actions on strategic infrastructure, including ports, breakwaters, sea walls and offshore structures. Using scaled physical models to replicate real-world environments, it ensures that model behaviour reflects full-scale performance, including wave forces, pressures and structural response, enabling designs to be tested, refined and optimised before construction.

The new facility features a 3D wave basin and 2D wave flume with advanced wave generation systems and controlled water environments, designed to test both fixed and floating structures across a wide range of conditions. It supports applications from early-stage research to validation of large-scale infrastructure, including wave transformation, overtopping, scour and harbor behavior under operational conditions.

Coastal and hydrodynamic center physical model

Laboratory Infrastructure:

  • 3D Wave Basin: 40.6 m x 35.6 m x 1.5 m
  • 2D Wave Flume: 44 m x 1.2 m x 1.5 m
  • Underground water storage tank
  • Advanced wave generation system by HR Wallingford

Core Expertises:

  • Physical modeling of coastal, port, and marine structures.
  • Testing under controlled hydraulic and wave conditions.
  • In-house capability validated through third-party review (HR Wallingford).

CAPABILITIES.

Hydraulic & Coastal Studies

  • Random and shallow-water wave transformation
  • Wave climate and harbor tranquility studies
  • Wave agitation inside harbors
  • Wave reflection, transmission, and overtopping assessment

Structural & Stability Testing

  • Stability of breakwaters, revetments, and coastal defenses
  • Armor layer and toe stability evaluation
  • Wave action on marine structures and mooring systems
  • Moored ship behavior studies

Sediment & Morphodynamics

  • Cross-shore and longshore sediment transport
  • Littoral drift and sediment dynamics
  • Scour and mobile bed studies
  • Impact assessment of coastal works along sandy coastlines

Testing facility

Hydraulic Physical Model Testing Facility

2D Flume Physical Modeling Test - Rubble mound Breakwater

Rubble mound breakwater physical model test

2D Flume Physical Modeling Test - Coastal Protection

Coastal protection physical model test

3D Basin Physical Modeling - Marina Rubble mound Breakwater

Marina rubble mound breakwater basin model