This work presents novel large-scale wave flume experiments (on a scale of 1:7) on the influence of a foredune in front of a secondary dune during storm surge situations. Working hypothesis is that the foredune acts as a sediment buffer, damping incoming waves and reducing overall erosion on the secondary dune. Experimental results show the significant influence of a foredune on the erosion behavior at a secondary dune as. Although investigated foredunes were commonly overwashed and eroded during each test, their remaining residual profiles still provide a protective effect as incoming waves break at greater distances from the secondary dune, causing reduced wave runup and erosion at the secondary dune.
