PhD research explores how climate change could affect storm surge barrier maintenance

Sunke Trace-Kleeberg has recently completed her PhD at the University of Southampton, successfully defending her research into the impacts of sea-level rise and climate change on the maintenance of storm surge barriers.

Sunke Trace-Kleeberg has recently completed her PhD at the University of Southampton, successfully defending her research into the impacts of sea-level rise and climate change on the maintenance of storm surge barriers.

As part of the Intelligent and Resilient Ocean Engineering (IROE) group and sponsored by the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI), Sunke’s research examined how changing sea levels and extreme water levels could affect the opportunities available to carry out essential maintenance at major storm surge barriers. Her research brought together academic and industry expertise, including collaborations with Rijkswaterstaat in the Netherlands and the UK Environment Agency.

Her research has already had real-world impact, contributing to discussions around the management and operation of storm surge barriers in the Netherlands and helping to inform how maintenance activities are planned at Dutch barriers. Pilot projects have begun exploring how maintenance work can be carried out throughout the year, rather than being restricted to a limited summer season, by making use of available periods when water levels remain below health and safety thresholds. The work highlights the importance of considering future climate conditions when planning the long-term management of critical flood protection infrastructure.

Sunke was based in the School of Ocean and Earth Science throughout her PhD. Following her viva, celebrations were held at the Postgraduate Student Centre at the National Oceanography Centre. Continuing a long-standing tradition among postgraduate students in the School, Sunke marked the occasion by popping a champagne cork into a ceiling tile – adding her mark alongside those left by previous generations of graduates. Friends also made a Thames Barrier-themed cake and a traditional German PhD hat decorated with photos of Sunke and a crafted Thames Barrier on top.

As a further recognition of the value and impact of her research, Sunke was presented with a rare statue by her Dutch supervisor, commemorating her contribution to understanding the future management of storm surge barriers.
Sunke said: “It has been a real privilege to work with such esteemed supervisors and complete a PhD project that has had tangible real-world applications. I’m excited to see how this research will continue to be used in the UK and Netherlands as well as sharing lessons learned to other storm surge barriers around the world.”