Hydraulic structures engineering: An evolving science in a changing world

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, vol. 8

Abstract

Abstract Hydraulic structures are critical for water management. Yet many structures continue to be neglected, in poor condition, and inadequate in adapting to evolving societal challenges associated with shifting climatic events and population growth. In this context, hydraulic structures engineering should be moving from traditional design considerations toward sustainability, that is, continuing to meet current and future social, environmental, and economic needs. This requires this community to embrace and help advance global and multidisciplinary perspectives. Therefore, this article presents the authors' point of view on current trends, concerns, and needs related to hydraulic structures engineering. Furthermore, the authors propose a new, forward‐looking framework for the consideration of the hydraulic structures community that is grounded on the evolution of interconnected research tools and methodologies in addition to emphasizing and bolstering strong links between academia and industry. The evolution of this framework has naturally originated from the pervasive challenge of validating the design and operation of hydraulic structures in the field for frequent and extreme conditions. The authors suggest that future developments of hydraulic structures engineering require (a) continuous updating of complementary tools and methodologies following technological developments, (b) addressing the lack of detailed field observations, (c) increasing interactions of hydraulic specialists with other scientific disciplines and water experts, and (d) restoring a strong collaboration between academia and industry. It is anticipated that in this way the hydraulic structures community, and all of society, will make a new step toward more sustainable and resilient interactions with nature and between communities in water management. This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Engineering Water

Authors 8

1. Sébastien Erpicum corresponding

   University of Liège

   Affiliation as printed

   Research Unit of Urban and Environmental Engineering Liege University Liege Belgium

   Research Unit of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Liege University, Liege, Belgium

2. Brian Mark Crookston corresponding

   Utah State University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah Water Research Laboratory Utah State University Logan Utah USA

   Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah Water Research Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA

3. Fabián A. Bombardelli

   University of California, Davis

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of California Davis California USA

   Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, California, USA

4. Daniel B. Bung Aachen Hydraulic Engineering Section (HES)

   FH Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   Hydraulic Engineering Section FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences Aachen Germany

   Hydraulic Engineering Section, FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Aachen, Germany

5. Stefan Felder

   UNSW Sydney

   Affiliation as printed

   Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering UNSW Sydney Manly Vale New South Wales Australia

   Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, New South Wales, Australia

6. Sean Mulligan

   Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway

   Affiliation as printed

   College of Engineering and Informatics National University of Ireland Galway Ireland

   College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

7. Mario Oertel

   Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck

   Affiliation as printed

   Civil Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering Section, Hydraulics Laboratory TH Lübeck University of Applied Sciences Lübeck Germany

8. Michele Palermo

   University of Pisa

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Energy, Systems Territory and Construction Engineering (DESTEC), University of Pisa Pisa Italy

   Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering (DESTEC), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy