Coastal structures such as breakwaters can mitigate the erosive effects of sea level rise by protecting shorelines from wave impact. The Reef Enhancing Breakwater (REB) is a modular, permeable structure designed to dissipate wave energy and boost marine biodiversity by providing suitable habitats. This research investigates the hydraulic stability of the REB under wave loading using a physical model.   Experiments were conducted in the Scheldt flume of Deltares with a 1:20 scale model. Both 2 and 3 level structures with simple and complex forms were tested on gravel underlayers of varying roughness. Irregular waves with significant heights up to 12.5 cm and wave steepness ranging from 2% to 4% were used, with varying water depths. As failure was not reached on the horizontal foreshore (main location), the structure was moved closer to the transition slope (alternative location) where plunging breakers can emerge. Smart ReefBlocks with integrated mobility sensors measured accelerations and angular velocities induced by wave motion.   Five main types of movements were observed: sliding, rocking, shaking, tilting, and lifting. Sliding was the most common, occurring mainly in the top layer, with a maximum of 4 sliding events per block per 1000 waves. Three limit states were defined: start of motion, start of damage, and failure. Start of motion is when blocks move for the first time, damage is when a block loses interlocking, and failure is defined by a damage level Nod=0.4Nod=0.4.   Expected and characteristic values of the stability number (Hm0/ΔDnHm0/ΔDn) were determined for each limit state. Only one displacement occurred at the main location, while failures were reached near the transition slope due to plunging breakers. The 2 and 3 level structures were stable on bed slopes without plunging waves. For non-plunging waves, the start of movement limit state (Ns,mNs,m) ranged from 0.39 to 0.51. When plunging waves occurred, the start of damage limit state (Ns,dNs,d) was 0.94, and the failure limit state (Ns,fNs,f) ranged from 0.94 to 1.11. The start of motion was not determined for setups at the alternative location.   For setups at the main location, sliding was analyzed in relation to wave height, wave steepness, water level, and structure height. Higher water levels allowed for higher waves, leading to more instabilities, but excessive submersion reduced movements. Waves with 2% steepness caused more movements than 4% steepness due to higher energy in longer waves. Other factors like underlayer irregularity and increased drag from epifauna were also considered. Most sliding movements occurred for Hm0/ΔDn>0.8Hm0/ΔDn>0.8. The model blocks, made of PLA with lower friction than concrete, started sliding under smaller forces, making the model conservative for sliding movements.   The impact of sliding movements on the REB's structural performance was investigated by estimating stresses in the protrusions from data collected by smart ReefBlocks. A conservative model was used to calculate impact forces and check for protrusion rupture. The resulting tensile stresses exceeded the concrete strength, but the model's representativeness is questionable as it differs from the actual protrusion. Further research is needed for a definitive answer.

The study of water is without question an important one. We can learn a lot by studying the theory but in the end, it is essential to actually go out into the field and see the hydrological processes in practice for ourselves. The educational value of fieldwork lies not only in seeing theory become reality but also in experiencing the difficulties and limitations of gathering data first-hand. The water resources department of the Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment (HUNRE) wanted to expand its curriculum with a fieldwork excursion that will be part of three courses related to surface water, groundwater, and water quality. During our ten weeks in Vietnam, we assisted the teaching staff of the Water Management faculty in the development of these courses. We selected multiple experiments and found suitable locations for their execution, about a three-hour drive from the university. Several times we visited the fieldwork site together with students and teachers to explore the catchment, perform experiments, and gather data. For every experiment, a comprehensive manual was written with accompanying assignments and sheets tailor-made for the fieldwork excursion. All manuals are combined into a practical document that can be brought into the field. The experiments require a wide variety of specific pieces of equipment. Most but not all of these were present at the university. With financial support from the Orange Knowledge Project (OKP), we were able to repair existing equipment and acquire new equipment that was lacking in order to facilitate the experiments that were deemed essential. We also re-organized part of the water lab where all equipment is stored to improve the equipment’s maintenance and organization. With the completion of this project, we believe to have made a contribution to the improvement of the quality of education at HUNRE. We hope that a lot of students can benefit from our efforts as they go on the fieldwork excursion in the coming years.