The large bottom roughness typical of coral reefs can be effective at reducing wave energy incident to coastlines through the dissipation induced by how wave-driven oscillatory flows interact with the roughness. A physical understanding of these fluid-structure interaction processes is essential in designing coral reef restoration projects that can enhance coastal protection as well as deliver other beneficial ecosystem services. A detailed 1:3 scale physical modelling study using the coral reef restoration solution developed by Mars Sustainable Solutions was undertaken in the University of Western Australia Coastal and Offshore Research Laboratory 54-m wave flume. Wave heights, flow velocities and hydrodynamic forces were measured to develop predictive formulations to quantify wave attenuation over arbitrary coral reef canopies as a function of coral canopy properties, wave and water depth conditions. This model enables the inclusion of coastal protection into the design of coral restoration projects across varying site conditions.
