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Dr Thomas D Shand- B.E.(Hons), PhD

Dr Tom Shand is a Coastal Engineer currently employed at the Water Research Laboratory (University of NSW), Sydney as a consultant engineer.  The Water Research Laboratory use innovative approaches including numerical and physical modelling to solve complex coastal engineering and management problems which typically require non-standard solutions.

After graduating from the University of Canterbury, Tom worked for the Engineering and Environmental Consultancy Tonkin and Taylor Ltd. for 4 years before undertaking his PhD through the University of NSW. His thesis addresses wave group effects on shoaling and breaking processes, and their influences on nearshore design and coastal hazard.

Tom has worked on a range of projects primarily in the coastal discipline, but also in hydraulic, water resources and geotechnical fields. Areas of specific expertise include coastal process and hazard assessment; numerical modelling of coastal, offshore and estuarine processes, and the design of coastal structures and beach nourishment schemes. He also has experience with the practical aspects of engineering design including project costing, specifications and construction supervision.

Tom has authored and co-authored several conference and journal papers on coastal related phenomenon including wave run-up, hazard assessment and advances in numerical modelling. His current research covers wave breaking and surf zone dynamics, wave-structure interaction and effects of sea-level rise on coastal structural design and coastal hazard.

Some recent applied projects include:

  • Statistical analysis of the Australian extreme wave climate and derivation of Synthetic Design Storm Events;
  • Field and physical modelling of wave overtopping of coastal rock platforms and development of hazard prediction schemes;
  • Wave climate and extreme wave assessment for multiple coastal, harbour and estuarine locations;
  • Physical modelling of wave loading, transmission, overtopping and stability of multiple coastal structures;
  • Coastal process and hazard assessment for multiple coastal, estuarine and lakeshore locations around New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific;
  • Numerical modelling of wave, hydrodynamic, sedimentation and water quality processes for a variety of coastal applications;
  • Development of a run-up, overtopping and inundation model at Whale Bay, Raglan for hazard assessment purposes;
  • Wave modelling and breakwater design at Pitcairn Island, South Pacific;
  • Beach nourishment design and planning at multiple New Zealand and Australian locations
  • Construction supervision and contract administration of coastal structure and beach nourishment projects.

Tom brings the combined attributes of a practical engineering background and academic analysis to resolve complex coastal problems in both a thorough and cost-efficient manner.

Selected Recent Publications:

  Shand, T.D., Bailey, D.G. and Shand, R.D. In Press. Automated Detection of Breaking Wave Height Using an Optical Technique. Journal of Coastal Research.
  Shand, T.D. 2011. Making Waves? A Rational Review of Artificial Surfing Reef Projects. Shore and Beach, Vol 79, No. 3, p12-16.
  Shand, T.D., Cox, R.J., Mole, M.A., Carley, J.T. and Peirson, W.L. 2011. Coastal Storm Data Analysis: Provision of Extreme Wave Data for Adaptation Planning. Coasts & Ports 2011 Australasian Conference; Perth, Australia.
  Shand, T.D., Shand, R.D., McComb, P.J., and Johnson, D.L. 2011. Evaluation of Empirical Predictors of Extreme Run-up Using Field Data. Coasts & Ports 2011 Australasian Conference; Perth, Australia.
  Shand, T.D., Smith, G.P., Cox, M.J. and Blacka, M.J. 2011. Development of Appropriate Criteria for the Safety and Stability of Persons and Vehicles in Floods. 34th IAHR World Congress.
  Shand, T.D., Cox, M.J., Smith, G.P. and Blacka, M.J. 2010. Appropriate Criteria for the Safety and Stability of People in Stormwater Design. National Conference of the Stormwater Industry Association, Sydney Aus.
  Shand, T.D. I D Goodwin, M A Mole, J T Carley, S Browning, I G Coghlan, M D Harley, W L Peirson, Z-J You and M A Kulmar. 2010. Coastal Storms and Extreme Waves. NSW Coastal Conference. Batemans Bay, NSW. November 2010.
  Shand, T.D., Peirson, W.L. and Cox, R.J. 2010. The Effect of Wave Groupiness on Engineering Design. 32nd International Conference on Coastal Engineering, Shanghai, China. August 2010.
  Shand, T.D. 2009. The Effect of Wave Grouping on Shoaling and Breaking Processes. UNSW PhD Thesis. August 2009. 481p.
  Shand, T.D., Peirson, W.L., Cox, R.J. and Banner, M.L. 2009 Predicting Hazardous Conditions on Emerged Rock Platforms. Coasts & Ports 2009 Australasian Conference; Wellington, New Zealand.
  Shand, T.D., Peirson, W.L. and Cox, R.J. 2008. On the Influence of Wave Groups on Shoaling and Breaking Waves. 31st International Conference on Coastal Engineering, Hamburg, Germany. Sept 2008.
  Shand, T.D., Peirson, W.L. and Cox, R.J. 2007. Wave Group Effects on Breaker Height on a Uniform Slope. Journal of Coastal Research, SI50. ICS2007.
  Shand, T.D., Reinen-Hamill, R.A., Shand, R.D. and Viljoen W. 2007. Empirical modelling of run-up and overtopping at a boulder beach, Raglan, New Zealand. Coasts and Ports 2007; Melbourne, Australia, July, 2007.
  Reinen-Hamill, R.A. and Shand, T.D. 2007. Selection of appropriate hazard levels for coastal hazards mapping of variable shoreline types. Coasts and Ports 2007 Australasian Conference; Melbourne, Australia, July, 2007.
  Shand, T.D., Andrews, C. Bailey, D.G. and Shand, R.D. 2005. Wave deformation in the vicinity of a long ocean outfall at Wanganui, New Zealand. Coasts & Ports 2005 Australasian Conference; Adelaide, Australia, 21, September, 2005.

Principal: