On the role of fluid infiltration into gravel dunes — Using a 3D numerical model

Both the hydrodynamic conditions as well as the related sediment transport processes of sandy bedforms are understood fairly well. However, little is known about the genetic processes of bedforms involved in environments dominated by gravel. In the coastal environment storm waves, spring tides, bore waves and to a lower frequency tsunamis are common phenomena that can provide the required energy to form gravel bedforms. Given the high energy of such wave events and the formidable practical difficulties of fixed instrumentation and in-situ measurements, knowledge on the hydrodynamic processes in the direct vicinity and in the interior of gravel bedforms is still limited.