Research group

• Prof. Alessandra Saponieri – Associate Professor (RS)
• Prof. Giuseppe Roberto Tomasicchio – Full Professor
• Prof. Agostino Lauria – Associate Professor
• Dr. Antonio Francone – Researcher
• Dr. Giulio Scaravaglione – Post-Doc Research Fellow
• Dr. Elisa Leone – Post-Doc Research Fellow

Main Research topics

Marine and coastal engineering

• Coastal protection: studies and assessments of coastal protection measures to mitigate erosion phenomena and safeguard coastal communities.
• Stability of coastal and harbor structures: experimental investigations of small-scale physical models to verify the stability and strength of coastal structures and harbors.

Sustainability and environmental adaptation

• Climate change: assessments of coastal dynamics in response to climate change.
• Marine pollution: study of the presence, distribution, and impact of pollutants (e.g., microplastics) on marine ecosystems, with analysis of pollutant concentrations in port areas.

Marine science and oceanography

• Oceanographic analysis: studies aimed at understanding marine dynamics, including currents and wave propagation.
• Coastal morphodynamics: analysis of the dynamics and changes in the shape of shorelines.

Naval architecture

• Ship shape design and optimization: studies aimed at optimizing ship elements, including engines and propellers, in order to improve vessel performance and efficiency.
• Green innovation in maritime transport: development and implementation of sustainable eco-friendly technologies in the maritime sector.

Offshore engineering and renewable energy

• Offshore studies: studies to support the design, construction and optimization of offshore wind turbines
• Anchoring technologies: development of innovative solutions for anchoring systems of fixed and floating offshore platforms

FACILITY

EUMER, European Maritime & Environmental Research, provides physical model testing capabilities at appropriate scales for device testing, environmental modelling, port and coastal engineering, combined with a broad expertise in numerical modelling (https://eumer.eu/index.html).

The laboratory, located in Lecce – Italy, aims to deliver practical solutions to the most complex water-related challenges: from climate change to renewable energy, coastal management, environmental impact, and port engineering and management.

WAVE BASIN: A 29.5×28.0x1.6 m wave basin can be used to perform physical model tests in a controlled environment, under operational and extreme wave conditions.

2D WAVE FLUME: The wave flume of the EUMER is equipped with technology for generating regular and random waves. The flume is 45.0 m long, 1.4 m wide and has a maximum working depth of 1.5 m. The piston type wave paddle is equipped with active wave-absorbing systems to reduce the effect of reflected waves within the flume and can generate random sea states to any required spectral form. Second order wave effects, including long waves and set-down, are realistically represented.

Reference Person

Alessandra SAPONIERI

Associate Professor

Università del SALENTO

Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Innovazione

Via per Monteroni – 73100 Lecce (LE)

alessandra.saponieri@unisalento.it