Physical Model Study Research Articles

Physical Modelling of Cross-Wedge Rolling of Ball Studs

The publication presents and reviews the results of a physical modelling study of the Cross Wedge Rolling process of ball-studs. The ball-studs was formed in a double system from C45 steel at 1050°C, while the physical modelling process was performed on a scale of 1:2.5 using Primo plasticine as the model material, which was formed at 5°C. For the real tests, steel tools were used, while for the model tests the tools were made of ABS plastic. The experimental tests were followed by measurements of the individual stud steps. The geometrical analysis of the specimens showed that the model material allowed the shape of the forging obtained in the rolling process to be accurately modelled. Based on the physical modelling studies of the Cross Wedge Rolling process of ball-studs, it was concluded that the ball-studs rolling process can be modelled using PRI MO plasticine. Based on the analysis of the physical modelling results obtained, it was concluded that physical modelling allows the Cross Wedge Rolling process to be modelled with a high convergence of the results obtained in real and physical tests.

Trends in U.S. Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Damage, 1900–2022

Abstract A series of papers published since 1998 assert that U.S. tropical cyclone (TC) damage, when “normalized” for individual wealth, population, and inflation, exhibits no increase attributable to anthropogenic global warming (AGW). This result is here questioned for three reasons: 1) The then-year (no demographic or economic adjustments) U.S. TC damage increases 2.5% yr−1 faster than U.S. then-year gross domestic product. This result, which is substantially due to the faster growth of assets in hurricane-prone states, shows that TC impacts on the total U.S. economy double every generation. 2) Fitting of an exponential curve to normalized damage binned by 5-yr “pentads” yields a growth rate of 1.06% yr−1 since 1900, although causes besides AGW may contribute. 3) During the twenty-first century, when the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) was in its warm phase, the most damaging U.S. TCs struck at twice the rate of the warm AMO of the twentieth century and 4 times the rate of the entire twentieth century, both warm and cool AMO phases. A key unanswered question is as follows: What will happen when (and if) the AMO returns to its cool phase later in this century? Significance Statement U.S. hurricane damage, normalized for changes in inflation, population, and wealth, increases by approximately 1% yr−1. For 1900–2022, 1% yr−1 is equivalent to a factor of >3 increase, substantially but not entirely, attributable to climate change. The incidence of the most damaging tropical cyclones (TCs) approximately doubled in the twenty-first century compared with climatologically analogous periods of the twentieth century. These results contradict the previously published work that introduced normalization and found zero trend in normalized damage but are consistent with physical reasoning and modeling studies.

JUSTIFICATION OF THE METHOD OF DETERMINING THE DESTRUCTION TIME OF THE ROOF LAYERS OVER THE MANUFACTURED SPACE OF BENCHES TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE CRACK RESISTANCE OF ROCKS

Purpose. Study of the process of destruction and collapse of rocks of the main roof during cleaning operations in difficult mining and geological conditions. Justification of the method of determining the time of roof destruction taking into account the crack resistance of rocks. Method. The method of laboratory studies of rock fracture toughness; the method of physical modeling of rock mass collapse processes over the created space, analytical studies of the process of layering and destruction of rock mass. Results. As a result of laboratory experiments, the results of fracture viscosity, specific energy of crack formation for sandstone were obtained. As a result of physical modeling studies, analytical calculations, dependencies were established: the step of the collapse of the main roof, the height of delamination, for each scheme under different technological and geological working conditions, and the time of destruction of the roof layers, taking into account the crack resistance of the rocks. A justified expression for determining the height of delamination taking into account the crack resistance of rocks. A well-founded method of determining the rate and time of destruction of the roof layers above the created space, taking into account the crack resistance of rocks. Reasoned formulas for determining the parameters of primary and periodic collapse of roof layers over the created space, taking into account the crack resistance of rocks in complex mining and geological conditions. Scientific novelty. For the first time, the dependencies of the main roof collapse step were established for each scheme, under different technological and geological working conditions, taking into account the crack resistance of the rocks. For the first time, the dependence of the height of delamination, taking into account the crack resistance of rocks, was established. For the first time, the dependence of the time of destruction of the roof layers, taking into account the crack resistance of the rocks, was established. Practical significance. The practical significance lies in forecasting the processes of layering, destruction and collapse of the main roof rocks in the complex mining and geological conditions of working out coal seams. Establishing the time of destruction of the immediate and main roof will allow determining the nature of the destruction of the roof, and will allow adjusting the further management of the roof. Key words: main roof, crack resistance, fracture toughness, specific energy of crack formation, delamination height, roof collapse step, time of destruction of rock layers of the roof

Performance evaluation of irrigation outlets with physical model study in Indus basin irrigation system of Pakistan.

The efficiency of water distribution at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels in the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) has historically suffered due to poor design, suboptimal operation, and water scarcity. To address these issues, the system has been designed with ungated irrigation outlets to ensure equitable water allocation at secondary and tertiary levels. This research evaluates the hydraulic performance of three irrigation outlets: adjustable proportional module (APM), adjustable orifice semi-module (AOSM), and open flume (OF) using a physical model study. A distributary channel model with these outlets was constructed at the Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering, where discharge coefficients (Cd) were calibrated and measured under various hydraulic and geometric conditions, including free and submerged flow conditions, and with adjustments to flow depths and outlet settings. The results showed variability in Cd values under free flow and submerged flow conditions with APM and AOSM ranging from 6.07 to 8.20 and 0.56 to 0.74, respectively, and OF between 2.46 and 4.31. Additionally, the behavior of outlet tampering on Cd values was also assessed under three scenarios: tampering with the half wing wall (1st), tampering with the full wing wall (2nd), and lowering the bed level downstream of the outlet (3rd). The increase in Cd values for APM and AOSM was + 10.84% and + 14.49% under 1st scenario, + 17.12% and + 22.36% under 2nd scenario, and + 24.25% and + 26.30% under 3rd scenario, respectively. The results reveal that even minor tampering with outlet structures can lead to significant deviations in performance, highlighting the importance of maintaining stringent control over outlet configurations to ensure equitable and efficient water distribution. There is a critical need for rigorous, site-specific calibration of irrigation outlets to optimize their performance under local conditions and redesigning outlet structures to minimize the impacts of tampering, thereby enhancing the overall sustainability of water use in large-scale irrigation systems. The findings from this study provide essential insights for irrigation engineers and policymakers tasked with upgrading and maintaining irrigation infrastructure. By adopting a more customized approach to outlet design and management, it is possible to significantly improve water use efficiency and achieve more sustainable irrigation practices.

Turbulent features of nearshore wave–current flow

Abstract. Waves and currents influence nearly all nearshore physical processes. Their complex interaction gives birth to complex turbulence features that are far from being completely understood. In this regard, previous studies mainly focused on mean flow or inferred turbulent features from averaged velocities, seldom examining turbulent fluctuations. Moreover, the dynamics of wave–current flow have mostly been replicated in experimental channel setups, i.e., overlooking the natural occurrence of waves and longshore currents intersecting at a near-orthogonal angle. In the present work, the hydrodynamics of near-orthogonal wave–current interaction are investigated through a physical model study. Experiments were carried out in a laboratory basin in the presence of fixed sand and gravel beds, where current-only, wave-only, and combined flow tests were performed. Flow velocities were measured by means of acoustic Doppler velocimeters, through which time-averaged, phase-averaged, and turbulent velocities were obtained. Results revealed two main features of the wave–current flow. First, we observed that the superposition of waves does not necessarily induce an increase in the current bed shear stresses. Indeed, depending on bed roughness, current freestream velocity and wave orbital velocity, enhancements or reductions of the current bed shear were observed. Moreover, application of quadrant analysis revealed a periodic evolution of the current turbulent bursts. Specifically, the number of current turbulent ejections and sweeps is reduced or increased as the wave phase progresses from antinodes to nodes and from nodes to antinodes, respectively.

Hydraulic characteristics of effective sea lamprey barriers

A network of 494 lowermost barriers on tributaries of the Laurentian Great Lakes prevents invasive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) from accessing upstream spawning habitat and is critical to the success of the sea lamprey control program. The design goal of purpose-built barriers for sea lamprey control at low-head dams was to maintain a minimum vertical separation of 45 cm between the crest and downstream water level and a 15-cm overhanging lip. Due to physical site constraints limiting barrier design height and fluctuating stream water levels, many barriers cannot meet the design criteria. However, some barriers continue to block the passage of the sea lamprey even when the design criteria are not fulfilled. We conducted a physical modeling study of three sea lamprey barriers of varying historical efficacies to understand the hydraulic characteristics of effective barriers better. Results showed that time-averaged and horizontally averaged streamwise velocity, energy dissipation rate, and eddy length scale in the vertical direction strongly correlate with barrier efficacy. We combined the resulting variables into a dimensionless Barrier number that can be used to categorize barrier efficacy. Ineffective barriers generally had higher Barrier numbers than effective barriers. Our experimental investigation suggests that the fluid flow and turbulence conditions near the riverbed are not as crucial to barrier efficacy as those above the riverbed at 50 % of the crest height. Our work improves understanding of how existing barriers block sea lamprey movement, which could aid in the design of future sea lamprey barriers.

Hydrodynamic analysis of rectangular reactors With suspended bafles

Historically, contact tanks have been designed by empirical correlation, physical model studies or tracer studies conducted after the construction of the contact tank. Recently, the Lattice Boltzmann D2Q9 method, using a numerical code (LBM - FORTRAN) was applied to study the transport of fluxes and solutes in disinfection tanks. The objective of this article is to present the results of a numerical study undertaken to investigate the effect of the number of deflectors on the performance of a contact tank. Several two-dimensional, time-variable, steady state numerical simulations were performed with the LBM method for the standard k-e model in a contact tank geometry where a different number of deflectors was considered. Residence time distribution (RTD) curves were calculated for any number of deflectors to evaluate and compare their performance. Finally, we calculated the concentrations at the outlet of the tank as a function of time and of the size of the baffles for all cases.

Physical modelling study on wave damping induced by an idealized floating kelp farm

A physical modelling study was carried out to investigate random wave damping promoted by an idealized floating kelp farm. The experimental conditions spanned intermediate water depths and both linear and nonlinear water waves. Unlike previous studies of wave damping promoted by vegetation, the floating kelp farm was placed close to the water surface with a ratio between vegetation height and water depth close to 0.25. The wave transmission coefficient induced by the floating kelp farm ranged between 0.56 and 0.96. This coefficient decreased for longer floating kelp farms and it was a function of the ratio between kelp farm length and incident wavelength and of the relative wave depth. Spectral analysis showed that wave damping was not frequency-dependent for wave frequencies close to the peak frequency. The wave transmission coefficients of a floating kelp farm with about 100 culture lines and with an extension of approximately 200 m were similar to those of submerged detached breakwaters with a relative crest freeboard smaller than −0.4. Furthermore, the bulk drag coefficient of near-surface idealized floating kelp farms can be modelled as a function of the Keulegan-Carpenter number. This study highlights the potential viability of nature-based solutions such as floating kelp farms for coastal protection.

The physical and numerical modeling to design the breast wall spillway – AS case study

ABSTRACT The river systems in the Himalayan region exhibit year-round flow due to precipitation during the rainy season and snow/glacier melt in summer. These rivers carry massive sediment loads, especially during monsoons. Hydraulic engineers face the challenge of designing infrastructure capable of managing this sediment. Breast wall spillways are recommended for their ability to handle floodwaters and sediment disposal. The hydraulics of breast wall/orifice spillways changes with the varying reservoir level. The flow is free flow for reservoir water levels below the top of the sluice, whereas for higher water levels the flow is orifice flow. Orifice spillways are designed to pass water through openings or gates, where the flow is primarily governed by the hydraulic head and the orifice size. The flatter bottom profile helps in smoothly directing the flow through the opening without causing significant turbulence or separation, especially when the gate is partially open. Hence, the crest profile is flatter as compared to the overflow crest profile to avoid flow separation and negative pressures on the crest for small gate openings. Kwar Hydro Electric Project is one such Himalayan region project planned across the Chenab River in which a breast wall spillway has been provided to serve the dual-purpose of flood and sediment disposal. The present paper describes the physical and numerical hydraulic model studies conducted for Kwar H .E. Project, Jammu and Kashmir, to evolve a breast wall spillway profile, ski jump type energy dissipator at the toe of the spillway.

Stepped chute energy dissipation structure downstream of a low-level river crossing for embankment protection

A low-level river crossing is an economic means of providing access for lower-order roads during high-frequency flood events. Conventionally, culverts are employed to enable the flow to traverse the road, albeit with allowance for overtopping. This overtopping flow from the approach roads, however, possesses the potential to cause erosion of the downstream embankment, thereby jeopardising the foundational integrity of the structure. A physical modelling study was undertaken to investigate the hydraulic performance of stepped chutes in terms of flow patterns, air-water flow properties, and energy dissipation. Various types of stepped chutes were investigated, namely horizontal steps with a chute wall, horizontal steps without a chute wall but with riprap placed directly downstream of each chute, step-inclined steps (backward sloping), steps with pooled cascades, and steps with baffle blocks. Notably, chutes with horizontal steps were the most efficient configuration in terms of relative energy dissipation. Furthermore, this research culminated in the formulation of a new regression formula to establish a quantifiable relationship between the required step length and the overflow depth and discharge, thereby offering a valuable tool for design purposes.

A Methodology to Quantify the Effective Vertical Thickness of Prephonatory Vocal Fold Medial Surface

ObjectiveThe shape of the vocal fold medial surface, particularly its vertical thickness, has been shown in computational and physical modeling studies to be highly influential in regulating glottal closure during phonation. However, because of the difficulty to quantify the vertical thickness in real vocal folds, this influence has often been overlooked in clinical contexts. Therefore, the goal of this study is to present a method to calculate an effective vertical thickness of the medial surface that is predictive of the glottal closure pattern during phonation. MethodsAn effective vertical thickness of the medial surface is calculated as a weighted integral of the medial surface contour along the vertical dimension. The weight is one for the part of the medial surface within a fixed threshold distance from the most medial point, and decays exponentially otherwise. The influence of the threshold distance value on the effective thickness value is investigated. Additionally, the sensitivity of the calculated effective thickness to slight misidentification of the vertical glottal midline is also studied. The methodology is validated on the vocal fold medial surface data from a canine hemilarynx at different levels of thyroarytenoid muscle activation. ResultsFor most threshold distances, the thickness follows an expected sigmoid-like trend with respect to the thyroarytenoid muscle activation level. A threshold distance of 0.05 mm appears optimal as it produced thickness changes in a range comparable to previous computational and experimental studies. The methodology is relatively robust to slight misidentification of the vertical glottal midline. ConclusionsA methodology to estimate the effective vocal fold vertical thickness from medial surface contours is proposed. The methodology can be applied in future studies to correlate medial surface shape to relevant parameters characterizing vocal fold vibration as well as clinical evaluation of treatment effectiveness.

Sound Insulation of an Acoustic Barrier with Layered Structures of Sonic Crystals – Comparative Studies of Physical and Theoretical Models

Sound Insulation of an Acoustic Barrier with Layered Structures of Sonic Crystals – Comparative Studies of Physical and Theoretical Models

Modeling mobile shales under contraction: Critical analyses of new analog simulations of shale tectonics and comparison with salt-bearing systems

Weak substrates, such as salt and mobile shales, exert a strong control on deformation styles in all structural settings, especially those undergoing contraction. Despite both materials being very weak, they are mechanically very different. Salt is weak and will flow in a ductile fashion under most geologic conditions, whereas shales only become mobile after reaching a critical state. Many sandbox-style physical or analog modeling studies have typically used a salt analog, viscous silicone polymer, as a proxy for mobile shales. However, to more accurately model mobile shale behavior, the model material needs to exhibit yield strength. One such material is Carbopol, which is made up of microgel grains that are elasto-plastic, separated by a viscous interstitial fluid. The abundance of the grains depends on the concentration of the mixture. Our results show that Carbopol does behave much differently than the traditional salt analog during contraction. Polydimethylsiloxanes typically undergoes bulk deformation and inflation under contraction, whereas Carbopol forms discrete, intense shear zones and contains zones of little to no strain where its yield strength has not been exceeded. Below the shale analog, brittle layers typically form imbricate thrust stacks, jacking up the overburden, with shear zones propagating out from thrust tips along and through the shale proxy. Strain analyses reveal complex switching of activity within the Carbopol and overlying sediments. Models reveal that even a very thin layer of Carbopol can act as a highly efficient detachment, and form more geologically realistic shortening structures, especially where these detachments are vertically stacked and horizontally offset. We believe that Carbopol is a powerful mobile-shale analog and opens new modeling directions because, as far as we are aware, this material has never been incorporated into a traditional sandbox model. Future work will seek to incorporate this material into more complex and 3D sandbox-style models.

Attenuation of sound signals in foams for the basic oxygen furnace using physical modelling techniques

The control of slag foaming is important for optimising basic oxygen furnace (BOF) performance. Acoustics systems monitoring wide frequency bandwidths have been applied to BOF monitoring for the purpose of understanding slag foam height and density but there is limited information about their accuracy and repeatability. Improved understanding of the fundamental behaviour of sound in slag foam could help resolve these issues. In this cold physical model study using, aqueous foams generated in a cylindrical vessel were used to study the attenuation of sound in large samples of foam. Sound pulses over the range of 201 to 1801 Hz were transmitted through varying aqueous foam heights of 100 to 250 mm and acoustic signals detected via a measurement microphone were analysed. The results indicated aqueous foams consisting of smaller bubbles in the range of 0.4 to 0.75 mm with visibly thicker outer films displayed a stronger correlation between the attenuated sound and the stationary foam heights. It was also observed that frequencies above 1009 Hz were more sensitive in terms of their attenuation in varying foam heights and the time-dependant drainage of bubbles compared to lower frequencies. These frequencies were generally higher than those used for industrial slag foam monitoring systems.

Hydraulic investigation of flows at high-head overflow spillway with multiple aerators: a physical and numerical study of Mohmand Dam, Pakistan

ABSTRACT A spillway is the essential part of the dam body, which releases surplus flows. At higher floods, the spillway operates at high heads, which results in high flow velocities along the chute and may cause negative pressures and cavitation. Therefore, to minimize such issues, aerators are provided along the spillway's chutes. This study aims to analyze the performance of the high-head overflow spillway of Mohmand Dam, Pakistan, having a steep chute of 32° with multiple aerators. Based on Froude's law of similitude, the physical model study was carried out at Irrigation Research Institute, Nandipur, on a scale of 1:60, while FLOW-3D numerical models were used to compare different hydraulic parameters, i.e., flow depth, velocity and pressure. The numerical models were validated with the results of a physical model, which were found in an acceptable range (i.e., 4.93%), and the hydraulic performance of two aerators was evaluated at different discharges. The models indicated negative pressures inside the aerator cavity, which allowed the suction of air to the lower nappe. The maximum air entrainment at the first aerator was about 8.5%. The results also showed that air entrainment to the lower nappe decreased when discharge was increased, whereas the maximum air detrainment reached 11.3% downstream of the second aerator.

Design of Underwater Compressed Air Flexible Airbag Energy Storage Device and Experimental Study of Physical Model in Pool

Renewable energy is a prominent area of research within the energy sector, and the storage of renewable energy represents an efficient method for its utilization. There are various energy storage methods available, among which compressed air energy storage stands out due to its large capacity and cost-effective working medium. While land-based compressed air energy storage power stations have been constructed worldwide, their efficiency remains low. Underwater compressed air energy storage has the potential to significantly enhance efficiency, although no such device currently exists. This paper presents the design of an UWCA-FABESD utilizing five flexible air bags for underwater gas storage and discharge. Additionally, it introduces the working principle of the adiabatic underwater compressed air energy storage system and device. Furthermore, a small-scale physical model with similar functionality was designed and manufactured to simulate the charging process of the air bag in onshore charging and discharging tests as well as posture adjustment and lifting arrangement tests, along with underwater charging and discharging tests. These experiments validated the related functions of the designed underwater compressed air flexible bag energy storage device while proposing methods for its improvement. This research provides a new approach to underwater compressed air energy storage.

Probing the microstructure and deformation mechanism of an FeCoCrNiAl0.5 high entropy alloy during nanoscratching: a combined atomistic and physical model study.

High entropy alloys (HEAs) exhibit superior mechanical properties. However, the nanoscratching properties and deformation behaviour of FeCoCrNiAl0.5 HEAs remain unknown at the nanoscale. Here, we investigate the effect of scratching depth on the microstructural and tribological characteristics of an FeCoCrNiAl0.5 HEA using molecular dynamics simulations combined with a physical model. The scratching force increases significantly as the scratching depth increases. In the lower part of the scratching region, there is a clear atomic movement process, with the load generated in the normal direction causing the atoms to shift downwards. Noticeable shear bands are formed in the subsurface area, and they are both small and narrow compared with the pure Ni. The plastic deformation mechanism of the compressed surface is mainly governed by the formation and expansion of stacking faults during the subsurface evolution process. The evolution process of screw dislocations is similar to that of edge dislocations. In addition, the high strength and deformation resistance of FeCoCrNiAl0.5 HEAs are further evaluated by establishing a microstructure-based physical model. The combined effect of the lattice distortion strengthening and dislocation strengthening promotes the high strength of the FeCoCrNiAl0.5 HEA, which is significantly better than the single strengthening mechanism of pure metals. These results accelerate the understanding of the mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of HEAs.

Physical model study on failure mechanism of strip footing on reinforced granular deposit

This study proposes guidelines for predicting the failure mechanism of a shallow strip footing resting on geosynthetic-reinforced granular deposit at different stages of footing settlement. Physical model tests are performed on footings resting on unreinforced and geosynthetic-reinforced soil. The reinforcement parameters varied include the depth between consecutive reinforcements, number of layers and the depth of the reinforced zone. Additionally, contours of deformation and maximum shear strain of soil and mobilised tensile strain in reinforcement with increasing footing settlement are studied. The improvement of bearing capacity ratio and the peak tensile strain in the reinforcement was monitored for three normalised settlement ratios of 5% (low), 10% (medium) and 25% (high). The reinforced soil models were found to depict primarily a punching shear failure limited solely within the reinforced zone at s/B of 5%. This was supplemented with a well-formed triangular wedge in the underlying unreinforced soil at s/B of 10%. In addition to above mechanisms, the radial shear zones were prominent at s/B of 25%. Failure mechanisms have been proposed eventually for each s/B value investigated, including guidelines on the upper and lower bounds of the load dispersion angle in the reinforced soil and wedge angle of the underlying unreinforced soil.

A physical model study on the hydraulic performances of vertical breakwaters with retreated wave walls

This paper describes a 2D physical model study on the hydraulic performances of composite vertical breakwaters with retreated wave walls. The research is an expansion of a previous experimental study by the same Authors: a very large number of experiments, in the order of 2,000, have been carried out by exploring and varying a wide range of wave and geometrical parameters of the structure, to investigate their effect and importance. In order to make feasible the execution of this large number of tests, a small-scale wave flume was used and regular wave conditions were reproduced. The influence of the wave wall retreat has been investigated in terms of wave-induced forces, reflection coefficients and wave overtopping discharges, comparing the hydraulic performances of structures with retreated walls with those of a flushed wall configuration under the same wave conditions. The large number of experiments allowed to formulate a detailed description of the complex phenomena at hand, providing statistical indicators that can be used as guidelines for preliminary design purposes of such structures, quantifying the relevant sources of uncertainty. The analysis confirmed and extended the previous findings and indicates that, on average, the hydraulic performances of structures with retreated crown wall vary significantly from those of flushed wall configurations. Specifically: (I) the forces acting on the wave wall increase of a factor up to 1.5, due to the occurrence of impulsive loads; (II) the forces acting on the caisson trunk decrease of a factor up to 0.91; (III) the global forces can decrease reaching a minimum reduction factor of 0.87, although some dangerous exceptions, in which equal or larger loads, than those occurring for standard flushed wall configuration, have been registered; (IV) the reflection coefficients decrease of a factor up to 0.83; (V) the wave overtopping discharges increase up to 2.55 times those with flushed walls.

Physical Model Study Of Standing Wave Impact Loads On Gates And Decks Of The Existing Discharge Sluices In The Afsluitdijk The Netherlands

To anticipate the rising sea level and to meet the increased flood safety standards the Afsluitdijk in the northwest of The Netherlands is currently being reconstructed. The Afsluitdijk is the dam, with a length of 30 km, that closes the IJsselmeer basin, the former Zuiderzee. Outside the dam lie the Waddenzee and the North Sea. The reconstruction of the dam includes the reinforcement of the dam and the raising of the crest level, the renovation of the existing discharge sluices and the building of new pumping stations, discharge sluices and flood gates. Higher design waves and water levels, including the effects of sea level rise, present determining loads for drawing up the strength and stability of these hydraulic structures. One of these loads is the wave impact load on the gates, supporting beams and bridge decks of the discharge sluices. At first, these loads have been calculated using a design approach which has been based on analytical models, only partially validated (Almeida and Hofland, 2020). It showed that these loads due to vertical wave impacts can be higher than the strength of the gates and the existing bridge decks. Therefore, load reduction measures are required. To better predict the wave impact loads, which strongly depend on the configuration of the gates and decks, a physical model study in a wave flume has been carried out at Deltares (Capel and van der Werf, 2023). This abstract is about the results of this model study, focusing on the wave impacts on the existing discharge sluices near Kornwerderzand, because at this location these loads are the highest.