Y. Kuai

Tidal flats play a crucial role in coastal resilience, acting as natural buffers that mitigate flooding and storm surges while supporting biodiversity and carbon sequestration. However, rapid coastal economic development and large-scale human interventions have intensified conflicts between socio-economic demands and the preservation of these fragile ecosystems. Understanding how tidal flats evolve under both natural forces and human activities lies at the core of my PhD research.

My work focuses on the morphodynamic evolution of tidal flats at open coast, where large-scale reclamation projects have significantly altered sediment dynamics and ecosystem stability. By integrating high-resolution field dataset analysis, diagnostic numerical modeling, and a hybrid DET-ESTMORF model, I aim to unravel the complex interactions between tidal hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and anthropogenic influences. The insights gained will contribute to sustainable coastal management strategies, balancing economic development with the long-term preservation of tidal flat ecosystems.

Kuai Yu obtained his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Harbor, Waterway, and Coastal Engineering from Hohai University, where he was recognized as an outstanding graduate student. His master's research focused on hydrodynamic and sediment transport patterns as well as morphological evolution in estuarine regions, during which he also gained experience in numerical modeling techniques. To further explore coastal geomorphology and sediment dynamics, he moved to the Netherlands to pursue a Ph.D. at Delft University of Technology. His doctoral research focuses on the morphodynamic evolution of muddy tidal flats at the open coast, contributing to a better understanding of coastal processes and sustainable coastal management.

Muddy Coast, Estuary, Tidal Flat, Hydrodynamics, Sediment Dynamics,  Morphology, Anthropogenic Influence, Numerical Modelling, Data Science, Machine Learning