# Tom Baldock

**Source**: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1154
**Parent**: https://about.uq.edu.au/faculties-institutes/hmbs/schools-institutes-centres/qcops/our-people

Professor

# Tom Baldock

Email:
:   [t.baldock@uq.edu.au](mailto:t.baldock@uq.edu.au)

Phone:
:   [+61 7 336 54498](tel:+61 7 336 54498)

## Positions

Head of School, Civil Engineering
:   Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

Head of School of Civil Engineering
:   School of Civil Engineering
:   Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

## Overview

### Background

Professor Tom Baldock, B.Eng, Ph.D (Lond), DIC, MIEAust.

**\*\*\*\*Ph.D. Scholarships in Coastal and Marine Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, University of Queensland, Australia\*\*\*\***

Please enquire about forthcoming UQ scholarship opportunities for domestic Australian students (citizens or permanent residents) or international students who are currently in Australia.

Ph.D. projects are available on coastal processes, coral reef hydrodynamics, tsunami impacts, wave energy or a topic of your own

Professor Baldock’s research is primarily in the field of Coastal and Ocean Engineering, but also encompasses renewable energy and higher education. He has published over 120 journal papers and over 80 conference papers, notably in top-rated journals for his discipline (Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Proceedings and Transactions of the Royal Society), and is the most published author in the journal Coastal Engineering over the past decade. He is presently principal supervisor for 6 Ph.D. students, with 18 PhD students graduated since 2007, three of whom were awarded Dean’s awards, and nine have secured T&R or research positions nationally and internationally, one a full Professor. His Ph.D. students have published over 60 journal papers since 2004. They have worked on field and laboratory experiments in the UK, Europe, the USA, in association with international researchers and government agencies. Prof Baldock received a UQ Award for “Excellence in HDR Supervision” in 2017. He is currently working on a major project within the National Reef Restoration and Adaption Program (https://gbrrestoration.org/) focused on the Great Barier Reef.

He has strong national and international collaboration on research on topical issues in coastal engineering and close links with Government and National agencies, which includes consultancy and expert witness services in Marine Engineering. Recent and current relevant research projects include a multi-partner CSIRO Cluster project under the Wealth from Oceans Flagship, investigating tsunami impact on ultra-long submarine pipelines running from the deep ocean up to continental slope and then onshore, ARC Discovery, ARC Linkage and ARC LIEF projects investigating storm surge and wave run-up along the East Australian coast, and four European Union HYDRALAB IV transnational access projects to study beach erosion and recovery processes in large wave flume facilities. He is also working with Geoscience Australia on the Bushfire and Natural Hazards projects, Resilience of Coasts to Clustered storm events and with the Global Change Institute (UQ) on the World Bank project "Capturing Coral Reef Ecosystems Services".

He is a member of the Editorial Board for *Coastal Engineering* and a member of the Engineers Australia National Committee on Coastal and Ocean Engineering.

He was Chair of the Organising Committee for Coasts and Ports 2017, held in Cairns, June 2017

His primary research interests are in : Swash zone hydrodynamics, Beach face sediment transport, Coral reef hydrodynamics and associated shoreline behaviour, Long wave generation and surf beat, Extreme non-linear waves (freak waves), Storm surge and tsunami hazards.

His current research projects are in the fields of:

1. Swash Zone hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport
2. Wave overtopping, including tsunami overtopping
3. Coral reef hydrodynamics
4. Impact of sea level rise on coastlines on open and reef-fronted coasts
5. Surf zone processes and beach erosion
6. Infrastructure for offshore aquaculture
7. Wave energy conversion

Google Scholar : https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?hl=en&user=QU14lwEAAAAJ

**Top publications**

Baldock, T.E., Swan, C. and Taylor, P.H., 1996. A laboratory study of non-linear surface waves on water. *Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, London, Series A*. 354, 1-28. [ERA – A]

Baldock, T. E and Huntley, D. A., 2002. Long wave forcing by the breaking of random gravity waves on a beach. *Proceedings of the Royal Society, London, Series A.*  458, 2177-2201. [ERA – A\*]

Baldock, T.E., 2006. Long wave generation by the shoaling and breaking of transient wave groups on a beach, *Proceedings of the Royal Society, London., Series A*. 462, 1853–1876. [ERA – A\*]

Baldock, T. E., O’ Hare, T. J., and Huntley, D. A.., 2004. Long wave forcing on a barred beach. *J. Fluid Mechanics*, 503, 321-341. [ERA – A\*]

Pritchard, D., Guard, P.A. and Baldock, T.E., 2008. An analytical model for bore-driven run-up. *Journal of Fluid Mechanics*, 610: 183-193. [ERA – A\*]

Baldock, T.E., Peiris, D. and Hogg, A.J., 2012. Overtopping of solitary waves and solitary bores on a plane beach. *Proceedings of the Royal Society, London, Series A*., doi: 10.1098/rspa.2011.0729. [ERA –A\*]

Saunders, M.I. et al., 2014. Interdependency of tropical marine ecosystems in response to climate change. Nature Clim. Change, 4(8): 724-729. [ERA – A\*]

**Latest publications:**

1. Lancaster, O., Cossu, R., Wilson, M., & Baldock, T. E. (2022). A 3D numerical and experimental parametric study of wave-induced scour around large bluff body structures. Ocean Engineering, 112766. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.112766
2. Astorga-Moar, A., & Baldock, T. E. (2022). Assessment and optimisation of runup formulae for beaches fronted by fringing reefs based on physical experiments. Coastal Engineering, 176, 104163. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2022.104163
3. Thompson, M. E., Matson, B. J., & Baldock, T. E. (2022). A globally verified coastal glare estimation tool. Coastal Engineering, 177, 104190.
4. Shabani, B., Ware, P. & Baldock, T. E. 2022. Suppression of Wind Waves in the Presence of Swell: A Physical Modeling Study. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 127, e2021JC018306.
5. Lancaster, O., Cossu, R., Wuppukondur, A., Astorga Moar, A., Hunter, S., & Baldock, T. E. (2022). Experimental measurements of wave-induced scour around a scaled gravity-based Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter. Applied Ocean Research, 126, 103268. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2022.103268
6. Wuppukondur, A. and Baldock, T.E., 2022. Physical and numerical modelling of representative tsunami waves propagating and overtopping in converging channels. Coastal Engineering, p.104120.
7. Wiegerink, J. J., Baldock, T. E., Callaghan, D. P. & Wang, C. M. 2022. Slosh Suppression Blocks - A concept for mitigating fluid motions in floating closed containment fish pen in high energy environments. Applied Ocean Research, 120, 103068.
8. Lancaster, O., Cossu, R., Heatherington, C., Hunter, S. & Baldock, T. E. 2022. Field Observations of Scour Behavior around an Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10, 320.
9. Blenkinsopp, C. E., Baldock, T. E., Bayle, P. M., Foss, O., Almeida, L. P. & Schimmels, S. 2022. Remote Sensing of Wave Overtopping on Dynamic Coastal Structures. Remote Sensing, 14, 513.
10. Ibrahim, M. S. I. & Baldock, T. E. 2021. Physical and Numerical Modeling of Wave-by-Wave Overtopping along a Truncated Plane Beach. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering, 147, 04021025.
11. Thompson, M., Zelich, I., Watterson, E. & Baldock, T. E. 2021. Wave Peel Tracking: A New Approach for Assessing Surf Amenity and Analysis of Breaking Waves. Remote Sensing, 13, 3372.
12. Birrien, F. & Baldock, T. 2021. A Coupled Hydrodynamic-Equilibrium Type Beach Profile Evolution Model. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 9, 353.
13. Lancaster, O., Cossu, R., Boulay, S., Hunter, S. & Baldock, T. E. 2021. Comparative Wave Measurements at a Wave Energy Site with a Recently Developed Low-Cost Wave Buoy (Spotter), ADCP, and Pressure Loggers. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 38, 1019-1033
14. Baldock, T.E., Gravois, U., Callaghan, D.P., Davies, G. and Nichol, S., 2021. Methodology for Estimating return intervals for storm demand and dune recession by clustered and non-clustered morphological events. Coastal Engineering, p.103924.
15. Bayle, P.M., Beuzen, T., Blenkinsopp, C.E., Baldock, T.E. and Turner, I.L., 2021. A new approach for scaling beach profile evolution and sediment transport rates in distorted laboratory models. Coastal Engineering, 163, p.103794.
16. Blenkinsopp, C.E., Bayle, P.M., Conley, D.C., Masselink, G., Gulson, E., Kelly, I., Almar, R., Turner, I.L., Baldock, T.E., Beuzen, T. and McCall, R.T., 2021. High-resolution, large-scale laboratory measurements of a sandy beach and dynamic cobble berm revetment. Scientific data, 8(1), pp.1-11.

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### Availability

Professor Tom Baldock is:
:   Available for supervision
:   Media expert

### Fields of research

[Civil engineering](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4851)
[Earth Sciences](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4764)
[Education](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4762)
[Education systems](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4874)
[Engineering](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4758)
[Geophysical and environmental fluid flows](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=6426)
[Geophysics](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4971)
[Higher education](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=5659)
[Oceanography](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4846)
[Physical oceanography](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=5681)
[Water resources engineering](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=5954)

### Qualifications

- Bachelor of Engineering, Imperial College London
- Doctor of Philosophy of Civil Engineering, Imperial College London

### Research interests

- #### Surf zone waves and tsunami impact

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- #### Wave run-up and beach erosion

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- #### Swash zone hydrodynamics and sediment transport

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- #### Surf Beat on Plane and Barred Beaches

  A laboratory investigation of long wave generation and behgaviour over plane and barred beaches. In particular, clarifying forcing mechanisms, correlatins between along and short waves and non-linear effects. For barred beaches, investigating potential long wave resonance. Water level fluctutautions may be relevant to rip current behaviour.

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- #### Bed Shear Stress in the Swash Zone and Sediment Transport

  Development of new instrumentation to directly measure bed shear stress in the swash zone, and compare with classical theory. Smooth, rough and mobile beds will be investigated. The results will be related to sediment transport measurements and field data.

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### Research impacts

Community Impact Prof Baldock’s work is also relevant to a wide community and generates significant interest at the public level. This includes:

Channel 9 Television main evening news, “Measuring beach face morphodynamics”, 23rd October, 2003. NSW.

ABC National TV news, 17&18thth December 2005. All states and territories. New models for tsunami waves.

ABC State and Local Radio, 17&18th December 2005, NSW, VIC, QLD, WA. Tsunami modelling.

Online news: ABC, Yahoo, NASA earth observatory news. Tsunami modelling.

National and state newspapers (The Australian, IT Today, Tuesday 14th February 2006, ¼ page article, Courier Mail, QLD, Engineers Australia, January 2006). Breaking wave tsunami models

Channel 10s Totally Wild show, Broadcast nationally March, 2006. Tsunami experiments at UQ.

Perception, performance and economics of renewable energy technology in the Tourism Industry. ABC National Radio News, December 2007; ABC local radio, January 2008.

Beach erosion and planning laws in Queensland, State and local newspapers, November 2009.

Channel 10 News, QLD, Wind effects on storm surge impact at the coast, Nov 2010.

The Weekend Australian, Enquirer; Science Illustrated, Australian Geographic, March 2011, commentary on 2011 Japanese tsunami.

New Scientist, March 2011, commentary on a Science article on climate change on winds and waves

Scientific American, online news August 15th 2014, article on Taro community relocation project due to sea level rise

Newsweek, online news, 18th August 2014, article on Solomon Island community relocation

“Helping coastal managers plan better for future storms”, 2018. <http://www.ga.gov.au/news-events/news/latest-news/helping-coastal-managers-plan-better-for-future-storms>

“Dead coral to give new life to Great Barrier Reef” [Media release from The Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP, Minister for the Environment and Energy](http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/frydenberg/media-releases/mr20180720.html), 2018

UQ News, UQ Research Impact, and submitted as an EOI for the ARC’s Engagement and Impact Assessment. <http://www.uq.edu.au/research/impact/stories/the-race-to-save-the-reef/>, feature on stabilising coral rubble on the Great Barrier Reef. This project was also featured in National Geographic Kids, 2018.

Academic impact Taking the ERA A\* journal Coastal Engineering as the benchmark journal for applied Coastal Engineering research, Prof Baldock ranks 1st on the list of the most published authors in that journal over the preceding decade to the end of 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2nd to the end of 2008 and 2009, and again 1st to the end of 2012.

Some recent media news is here:

http://www.uq.edu.au/research/impact/stories/the-race-to-save-the-reef/

<http://www.ga.gov.au/news-events/news/latest-news/helping-coastal-managers-plan-better-for-future-storms>

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## Works

[Search Professor Tom Baldock’s works on UQ eSpace](http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/list/author_id/2299)

[All
(276)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/1154/all)
[Journal Article
(164)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/1154/4748)
[Other Outputs
(4)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/1154/4749)
[Conference Publication
(104)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/1154/4751)
[Book Chapter
(4)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/1154/4752)

Featured

2017

Journal Article

##### Assessment of runup predictions by empirical models on non-truncated beaches on the south-east Australian coast

Atkinson, Alexander L., Power, Hannah E., Moura, Theo, Hammond, Tim, Callaghan, David P. and Baldock, Tom E. (2017). Assessment of runup predictions by empirical models on non-truncated beaches on the south-east Australian coast. Coastal Engineering, 119, 15-31. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2016.10.001

[Assessment of runup predictions by empirical models on non-truncated beaches on the south-east Australian coast](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:413863)

Featured

2016

Journal Article

##### Reconciling development and conservation under coastal squeeze from rising sea-level

Mills, Morena, Leon, Javier X., Saunders, Megan I., Bell, Justine, Liu, Yan, O’Mara, Julian, Lovelock, Catherine E., Mumby, Peter J., Phinn, Stuart, Possingham, Hugh P., Tulloch, Vigitskaia, Mutafoglu, Konar, Morrison, Tiffany, Callaghan, David, Baldock, Tom, Klein, Carissa and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2016). Reconciling development and conservation under coastal squeeze from rising sea-level. Conservation Letters, 9 (5), 361-368. doi: 10.1111/conl.12213

[Reconciling development and conservation under coastal squeeze from rising sea-level](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:379893)

Featured

2016

Journal Article

##### Generalized transformation of the lattice Boltzmann method for shallow water flows

Hedjripour, Amir H., Callaghan, David P. and Baldock, Tom E. (2016). Generalized transformation of the lattice Boltzmann method for shallow water flows. Journal of Hydraulic Research, 54 (4), 371-388. doi: 10.1080/00221686.2016.1168881

[Generalized transformation of the lattice Boltzmann method for shallow water flows](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:386551)

Featured

2016

Journal Article

##### Observations of the directional distribution of the wind energy input function over swell waves

Shabani, Benham, Babanin, Alex V. and Baldock, Tom E. (2016). Observations of the directional distribution of the wind energy input function over swell waves. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 121 (2), 1174-1193. doi: 10.1002/2015JC011225

[Observations of the directional distribution of the wind energy input function over swell waves](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:381013)

Featured

2015

Journal Article

##### Impact of sea-level rise on cross-shore sediment transport on fetch-limited barrier reef island beaches under modal and cyclonic conditions

Baldock, T. E., Golshani, A., Atkinson, A., Shimamoto, T., Wu, S., Callaghan, D. P. and Mumby, P. J. (2015). Impact of sea-level rise on cross-shore sediment transport on fetch-limited barrier reef island beaches under modal and cyclonic conditions. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 97 (1-2), 188-198. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.06.017

[Impact of sea-level rise on cross-shore sediment transport on fetch-limited barrier reef island beaches under modal and cyclonic conditions](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:365157)

Featured

2015

Journal Article

##### Threshold concepts as a focus for metalearning activity: application of a research-developed mechanism in undergraduate engineering

Meyer, Jan H. F., Knight, David B., Callaghan, David P. and Baldock, Tom E. (2015). Threshold concepts as a focus for metalearning activity: application of a research-developed mechanism in undergraduate engineering. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 52 (3), 277-289. doi: 10.1080/14703297.2015.1017515

[Threshold concepts as a focus for metalearning activity: application of a research-developed mechanism in undergraduate engineering](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:353969)

Featured

2014

Journal Article

##### Classification of hurricane hazards: the importance of rainfall

Rezapour, Mehdi and Baldock, Tom E. (2014). Classification of hurricane hazards: the importance of rainfall. Weather and Forecasting, 29 (6), 1319-1331. doi: 10.1175/WAF-D-14-00014.1

[Classification of hurricane hazards: the importance of rainfall](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:349277)

Featured

2014

Journal Article

##### Interdependency of tropical marine ecosystems in response to climate change

Saunders, Megan I., Leon, Javier X., Callaghan, David P., Roelfsema, Chris M., Hamylton, Sarah, Brown, Christopher J., Baldock, Tom, Golshani, Aliasghar, Phinn, Stuart R., Lovelock, Catherine E., Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, Woodroffe, Colin D. and Mumby, Peter J. (2014). Interdependency of tropical marine ecosystems in response to climate change. Nature Climate Change, 4 (8), 724-729. doi: 10.1038/nclimate2274

[Interdependency of tropical marine ecosystems in response to climate change](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:337357)

Featured

2012

Journal Article

##### Overtopping of solitary waves and solitary bores on a plane beach

Baldock, T. E., Peiris, D. and Hogg, A. J. (2012). Overtopping of solitary waves and solitary bores on a plane beach. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences, 468 (2147), 3494-3516. doi: 10.1098/rspa.2011.0729

[Overtopping of solitary waves and solitary bores on a plane beach](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:285093)

Featured

2011

Journal Article

##### Swash zone boundary conditions derived from optical remote sensing of swash zone flow patterns

Power H. E., Holman, R. and Baldock T. E. (2011). Swash zone boundary conditions derived from optical remote sensing of swash zone flow patterns. Journal of Geophysical Research, 116 (6) C06007, C06007 -1-C06007 -13. doi: 10.1029/2010JC006724

[Swash zone boundary conditions derived from optical remote sensing of swash zone flow patterns](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:256068)

Featured

2011

Journal Article

##### Overtopping a truncated planar beach

Hogg, Andrew J., Baldock, Tom E. and Pritchard, David (2011). Overtopping a truncated planar beach. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 666, 521-553. doi: 10.1017/S0022112010004325

[Overtopping a truncated planar beach](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:231304)

Featured

2011

Book Chapter

##### More than one pathway to success: The effects of lecture attendance and Lectopia viewing on exam performance in large engineering classes

McCredden, J. E. and Baldock, T. (2011). More than one pathway to success: The effects of lecture attendance and Lectopia viewing on exam performance in large engineering classes. Engineering education: An Australian perspective. (pp. 471-486) edited by Stephen Grainger and Colin Kestell. Essex, England: Multi-Science Publishing.

[More than one pathway to success: The effects of lecture attendance and Lectopia viewing on exam performance in large engineering classes](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:269534)

Featured

2009

Journal Article

##### Feasibility analysis of renewable energy supply options for a grid-connected large hotel

Dalton, G. J., Lockington, D. A. and Baldock, T. E. (2009). Feasibility analysis of renewable energy supply options for a grid-connected large hotel. Renewable Energy, 34 (4), 955-964. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2008.08.012

[Feasibility analysis of renewable energy supply options for a grid-connected large hotel](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:182011)

Featured

2008

Journal Article

##### An analytical model for bore-driven run-up

Pritchard, David, Guard, Paul A. and Baldock, Tom E. (2008). An analytical model for bore-driven run-up. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 610, 183-193. doi: 10.1017/S0022112008002644

[An analytical model for bore-driven run-up](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:166773)

Featured

2008

Journal Article

##### Recent advances in modeling swash zone dynamics: Influence of surf-swash interaction on nearshore hydrodynamics and morphodynamics

Brocchini, M. and Baldock, T. E. (2008). Recent advances in modeling swash zone dynamics: Influence of surf-swash interaction on nearshore hydrodynamics and morphodynamics. Reviews of Geophysics, 46 (3) RG3003, 1-21. doi: 10.1029/2006RG000215

[Recent advances in modeling swash zone dynamics: Influence of surf-swash interaction on nearshore hydrodynamics and morphodynamics](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:166781)

Featured

2007

Journal Article

##### The influence of seaward boundary conditions on swash zone hydrodynamics

Guard, P.A. and Baldock, T.E. (2007). The influence of seaward boundary conditions on swash zone hydrodynamics. Coastal Engineering, 54 (4), 321-331. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2006.10.004

[The influence of seaward boundary conditions on swash zone hydrodynamics](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:128546)

Featured

2007

Journal Article

##### A survey of tourist operator attitudes to renewable energy supply in Queensland, Australia

Dalton, G.J., Lockington, D.A. and Baldock, T.E. (2007). A survey of tourist operator attitudes to renewable energy supply in Queensland, Australia. Renewable Energy, 32 (4), 567-586. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2006.02.006

[A survey of tourist operator attitudes to renewable energy supply in Queensland, Australia](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:127656)

Featured

2006

Journal Article

##### Long wave generation by the shoaling and breaking of transient wave groups on a beach

Baldock, T. E. (2006). Long wave generation by the shoaling and breaking of transient wave groups on a beach. Proceedings of The Royal Society A: Mathematical Physical And Engineering Sciences, 462 (2070), 1853-1876. doi: 10.1098/rspa.2005.1642

[Long wave generation by the shoaling and breaking of transient wave groups on a beach](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:80313)

Featured

2002

Journal Article

##### Long-Wave Forcing by the Breaking of Random Gravity Waves on a Beach

Baldock, T. E. and Huntley, D. A. (2002). Long-Wave Forcing by the Breaking of Random Gravity Waves on a Beach. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A, 458 (2025), 2177-2201. doi: 10.1098/rspa.2002.0962

[Long-Wave Forcing by the Breaking of Random Gravity Waves on a Beach](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:8920)

Featured

2002

Journal Article

##### Hydrodynamics and sediment transport in the swash zone: a review and perspectives

Elfrink, B and Baldock, T (2002). Hydrodynamics and sediment transport in the swash zone: a review and perspectives. Coastal Engineering, 45 (3-4), 149-167. doi: 10.1016/S0378-3839(02)00032-7

[Hydrodynamics and sediment transport in the swash zone: a review and perspectives](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:115346)

## Funding

### Current funding

- 2022 - 2028

  TMR-UQ Structural Engineering Academic Agreement 2022-2031

  Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/53791)

### Past funding

- 2022

  The potential use of Artificial Reefs (AR) for controlling, reducing or reverting coastal erosion

  Blue Reef

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/53788)
- 2021 - 2025

  Seeding marine innovation in SW WA with a WEC deployment in Albany

  Blue Economy CRC-Co Ltd

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/52009)
- 2020 - 2025

  RRAP-RS-01-V1 Rubble location, prediction and sub-program management (GBRF funding administered by AIMS)

  Australian Institute of Marine Science

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/49113)
- 2020 - 2025

  RRAP-RS-02-V1 Approaches to stabilisation

  Australian Institute of Marine Science

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/49163)
- 2020 - 2025

  RRAP-RS-03-V1 Synthesis and Tools Rubble Stabilisation

  Australian Institute of Marine Science

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/49151)
- 2020

  Kelp aquaculture scoping study

  Blue Economy CRC-Co Ltd

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/41665)
- 2019 - 2023

  Next generation offshore blue water aquaculture

  ARC Discovery Projects

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/37010)
- 2019 - 2022

  The biomimicry of mushroom forest artificial reef (MFAR)

  Qatar University

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/37728)
- 2017 - 2018

  Coastal Engineering Research Field Station (CERFS) (ARC LIEF project administered by Griffith University)

  Griffith University

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/29815)
- 2015 - 2018

  Resilience to clustered disaster events on the coast - storm surge

  Commonwealth Government Geoscience Australia

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/26493)
- 2014 - 2016

  Assessing and enhancing the resilience of Australian beaches to sea level rise.

  ARC Discovery Projects

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/21099)
- 2013 - 2015

  Development and validation of an innovative wind stress model to obtain robust storm surge forecasts

  ARC Discovery Projects

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/15038)
- 2012

  Scoping Study for Climate Change Adaption in Choiseul Province (Solomon Islands)

  Commonwealth Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/15382)
- 2012 - 2016

  Optimising SWRO Concentrate Discharge During 'Hot Standby' Operation

  Murdoch University

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/14379)
- 2011 - 2013

  Bed shear stress on beach sediment and coastal structures under wave run-up (ARC Discovery Project administered by The University of New South Wales)

  University of New South Wales

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/13112)
- 2010 - 2013

  Development of an adaptive statistical model for oceanic flooding hazards along the East Australian coast

  ARC Linkage Projects

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/11426)
- 2009

  Breaching and closure of coastal lagoon entrances: an integrated research program for improved flood forecasting.

  UQ External Support Enabling Grant

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/10924)
- 2008 - 2010

  Contribution of surf zone wind stress to storm surge inundation (ARC Discovery Project DP0877235 administered by Griffith University)

  Griffith University

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/10038)
- 2007 - 2010

  CSIRO Flagship Collaboration - Wealth from oceans - ocean based industry development and growth - Blue GDP (administered by the University of Western Australia)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/9772)
- 2007 - 2010

  Enabling Teaching Scholarship - supporting the integration, application and action of new teaching initiatives

  UQ Teaching & Learning Strategic Grants

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/45764)
- 2004

  Beach Groundwater Dynamics: Measurement And Modelling

  ARC Linkage International

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/19023)
- 2003

  Swash Zone Dynamics: Matching process knowledge with field data

  UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/45348)
- 2003

  Bed Shear Stress Measurements in Complex Fluid Flow Environments

  UQ Early Career Researcher

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/18741)

View all 23 past funded projects
View less

## Supervision

### Availability

Professor Tom Baldock is:
:   Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on [how to choose a supervisor](https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/how-to-choose-a-supervisor).

### Available projects

- #### Coastal and Ocean Engineering topics

  Please contact me directly to discuss latest topics or to propose your own study topic. Ph.D. projects and potential scholarships are available as below. Please see publications for recent work on these themes.

  Topics of interest are:

  Ph.D. projects are available in the fields of:

  1. Swash Zone hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport
  2. Wave overtopping, including tsunami overtopping
  3. Coral reef hydrodynamics
  4. Impact of sea level rise on coastlines on open and reef-fronted coasts
  5. Surf zone processes and beach erosion
  6. Infrastructure for offshore aquaculture
  7. Wave energy conversion

  Read more
  Read less

### Supervision history

#### Current supervision

- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Experimental and numerical modeling of saltwater intrusion in the coastal aquifer under different morphology of fractured beds

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Alexander Scheuermann](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/2283), [Dr Claudia Cherubini](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/13212)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Physical and numerical modelling of a wave energy converter

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Remo Cossu](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/14107)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Assessing and modelling of breaching and coastal erosion risks on Bribie Island and the Sunshine Coast under current and future wave climates.

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991), [Associate Professor Remo Cossu](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/14107)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Dynamics of Floating Wind Turbines under Ocean Waves

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Chien Ming Wang](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/16698), [Associate Professor Wenhua Zhao](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/47954)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Hybrid Renewable Energy and Desalination Potential in Tidal Channels

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Remo Cossu](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/14107)

View all 5 current supervisions
View less

#### Completed supervision

- 2025

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Structural and hydrodynamic analysis of the breakage of coral colonies and rubble motion](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:9009e7c)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991), [Dr Daniel Harris](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/16758)
- 2024

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Development, Testing and Numerical Modelling of a Buoyant Parabolic Beach as an Efficient Floating Breakwater](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:1d36095)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2024

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Runup, overtopping and sediment transport on reef fronted shores.](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:d4fa7f4)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2024

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Investigating the use of Computer Vision Techniques for Analysing the Surf Zone and Swash Zone](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:d27898f)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Marcus Gallagher](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/469)
- 2023

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Study of tsunami run-up, inundation and overtopping processes in the presence of coastal sand dunes using experimental, empirical and numerical methods](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:99523b9)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2021

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Physical and numerical modelling of tsunami propagation, overtopping and bridge pier scour in coastal rivers](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:53cbb4a)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2020

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Swash overtopping on plane beaches: reconciling empirical and theoretical scaling laws using the volume flux](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:107da95)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2019

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Interaction and growth of low frequency and high frequency wind waves](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:17f2f1a)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2018

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Lattice Boltzmann modelling of supercritical shallow water flows](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:726712)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2018

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Laboratory Beach Profile Dynamics and Responses to Changing Water Levels with and without Nourishment](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:638f22e)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2016

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Infragravity wave forcing in the surf and swash zone.](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:388314)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2016

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Beach recovery and studies in accretive sediment transport](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:387531)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2016

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [A new methodology for classification of tropical cyclones: the importance of rainfall](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:384798)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2015

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Swash zone boundary conditions and direct bed shear stress measurements over loose sediment beds](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:371330)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2014

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Influence of grain size on swash zone sediment transport](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:320491)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2014

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Nearshore and Surf Zone Wind Stress](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:331937)

  Principal Advisor
- 2013

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Dynamic Modelling of Coastal Lagoon Opening Processes](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:294959)

  Principal Advisor
- 2012

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Measurement and Modelling of Bed Shear Induced by Solitary Waves](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:264788)

  Principal Advisor
- 2011

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Hydrodynamics of surf and swash on natural beaches

  Principal Advisor
- 2010

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Sediment transport and beach morphodynamics induced by long waves](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:197793)

  Principal Advisor
- 2010

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Influence of long waves and wave groups on swash zone sediment transport](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:206178)

  Principal Advisor
- 2009

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Measurement and Modelling of Swash Zone Bed Shear Stress](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:184339)

  Principal Advisor
- 2007

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Perceptions, performance and economics of renewable energy supply within the Australian tourism industry

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Emeritus Professor D Lockington](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/377)
- 2026

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Dynamics of Coral Rubble in Natural Settings](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:80144e0)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Daniel Harris](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/16758)
- 2025

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Towards a coral rubble instability model to inform coral remediation within the Great Barrier Reef](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:63e9269)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Daniel Harris](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/16758), [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2023

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Development of a passive solution for mitigating sloshing in a floating rigid closed containment aquaculture tank in waves](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:0cc954a)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Chien Ming Wang](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/16698)
- 2022

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Investigation of scour processes around Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converters](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:7c783a9)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Remo Cossu](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/14107)
- 2017

  Master Philosophy

  ##### [Investigation of the Use of a Computational Fluid Dynamics Software for Continental Shelf Scale Simulations of Surface Gravity Waves](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:681064)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2014

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Momentum and energy transfer by wave organised motion under wind waves](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:338934)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2014

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [ASPECTS OF INLET GEOMETRY AND DYNAMICS](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:322272)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor David Callaghan](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/991)
- 2013

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Modelling as an aid to understand the evolution of Australia's central east coast in response to late Pleistocene-Holocene and future sea level change](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:298090)

  Associate Advisor
- 2011

  Master Philosophy

  ##### [Quantification of the physical impacts of climate change on beach shoreline response](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:235078)

  Associate Advisor
- 2010

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Sheet flow sediment transport and swash hydrodynamics](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:216138)

  Associate Advisor
- 2007

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### HYDRAULIC SORTING OF COASTAL HEAVY MINERAL SANDS

  Associate Advisor
- 2006

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### COASTAL BOUNDARY LAYER AND SEDIMENT TRANSPORT MODELLING

  Associate Advisor
- 2005

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### ISSUES AT THE FRONTIERS OF COASTAL MORPHO-DYNAMICS MODELLING

  Associate Advisor

View all 36 completed supervisions
View less

## Media

### Enquiries

Contact Professor Tom Baldock directly for media enquiries about:

- Beach morphology
- Beach morphology - engineering
- Coastal engineering
- Engineering - coastal/ocean
- Engineering - hydraulic
- Fluid mechanics
- Hydraulic engineering
- ICOLLs - engineering
- Mechanics - fluid
- Ocean engineering
- Swash hydrodynamics
- Tsunamis - engineering
- Wave mechanics
- Waves - engineering

#### Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

[communications@uq.edu.au](mailto:communications@uq.edu.au)

## External profiles

- [ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7040-9643)
- [ResearcherID](https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/B-1474-2008)
- [Scopus](https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=6604021278)
- [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=QU14lwEAAAAJ)

## Personal links

- [Personal profile](https://civil.uq.edu.au/research/coastal-hydraulic-engineering)
- [Coastal Engineering @ UQ](https://civil.uq.edu.au/research/coastal-hydraulic-engineering)
- [Work on coral reef resilience](http://uq.edu.au/research/impact/stories/saving-the-reef/)
- [Work on Beach erosion and storm clusters](http://www.ga.gov.au/news-events/news/latest-news/helping-coastal-managers-plan-better-for-future-storms)

Log in to Academic Portal to update your profile

[Update my profile](https://academicportal.app.uq.edu.au/profile/)