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Mr Ben Modra

Mr Ben Modra

Principal Engineer

Master of Engineering Science (Coastal)

Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Science) / Arts (Anthropology)

Engineering
Water Research Laboratory

Ben a Principal Engineer in the Projects team of the Water Research Laboratory, specialising in studies relating to coastal and water engineering. 

As one of Australia’s foremost physical hydraulic modelers, Ben leads the delivery of diverse and complex models, used to ensure the safe and efficient design of infrastructure.  These are applied across coastal engineering, dam and civil engineering, and stormwater. 

Ben is experienced in the design, testing and assessment of coastal structures such as seawalls and breakwaters. With a background in electronics, he is a specialist in instrumentation for laboratory and field studies.

Ben have worked extensively on laboratory testing of stormwater treatment devices to ensure new products are effective.  His work aims to improve stormwater treatment trains to provide better water quality outcomes for our rivers and the reduction of plastics in our oceans.

He passionate about research, and work closely with academics to incorporate new research into commercial projects, and to guide research into the most practical outcomes for industry.
Phone
(02) 8071 9837
E-mail
b.modra@wrl.unsw.edu.au
Location
UNSW Water Research Laboratory Manly Vale Campus
  • Journal articles | 2019
    Smith GP; Modra BD; Felder S, 2019, 'Full-scale testing of stability curves for vehicles in flood waters', Journal of Flood Risk Management, 12,
    Journal articles | 2012
    Modra BD, 2012, '2D and 3D Physical Modelling of Current and Wave Interactions for Rock Berm Design', Journal of Shipping and Ocean Engineering
  • Conference Papers | 2023
    Atkins T; Modra B, 2023, 'St Kilda Pier Redevelopment - Wave overtopping and public safety', in Australasian Coasts and Ports 2023 Conference, pp. 315 - 321
    Conference Papers | 2023
    Modra B; Foster S; Ryan P, 2023, 'Field trial for low carbon, high-density coastal armour units', in Australasian Coasts and Ports 2023 Conference, pp. 196 - 199
    Reports | 2023
    Modra B; Gilbert D, 2023, Townsville Eastern Breakwater Q3D physical modelling, Water Research Laboratory of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW 2093, WRL TR2023/07
    Conference Papers | 2023
    Modra B; Montano L; Cox R; Felder S, 2023, 'Innovation in physical hydraulic modelling (PHM) for dam design', Cairns, presented at ANCOLD 2023 Conference, Cairns, 25 October 2023 - 27 October 2023
    Conference Papers | 2022
    Deiber M; Flocard F; Miller BM; Modra B, 2022, 'Improving our understanding of ship side thruster forces on existing armoured berths through physical modelling of prop-wash', in Australasian Coasts and Ports 2021 - Proceedings, pp. 359 - 365
    Reports | 2022
    Modra B; Lumiatti G, 2022, Lake Macdonald Dam 3D Physical Model, Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW, 2093, TR 2019/03
    Reports | 2020
    Modra B; Howe D; Chan J, 2020, Port of Townsville 3D physical model, Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2019/25 FINAL APRIL 2020
    Conference Papers | 2020
    Modra B; Howe D; Folan A; McLean K, 2020, 'Channel concentration and reflections from dredge channels', in Proceedings of the Coastal Engineering Conference
    Reports | 2020
    Modra B; Howe D, 2020, Port of Townsville Quasi 3D physical model, Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2019/26 FINAL FEBRUARY 2020
    Reports | 2020
    Modra B; Lumiatti G, 2020, Performance Testing of the SPEL Hydrosystem, Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2020/11 FINAL FEBRUARY 2020
    Reports | 2020
    Modra B; Lumiatti G, 2020, Performance testing of the DSTORM stormwater filter, Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2019/34 FINAL FEBRUARY 2020
    Conference Papers | 2020
    Nielsen A; Modra B, 2020, 'Submerged groynes for beach stabilisation', in Proceedings of the Coastal Engineering Conference
    Reports | 2019
    Modra B; Howe D, 2019, Extended performance testing of the SPELFilter, Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2019/22
    Reports | 2019
    Modra B; Howe D, 2019, Performance testing of an aged SPELFilter, Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2019/28
    Reports | 2019
    Modra B; Lumiatti G; Deiber M; Simpson J, 2019, Somerset Dam Physical Model, Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydey, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2019/13
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Coghlan I; Blacka M; Shand T; Foster M; Carley J; Howe D; Modra B, 2018, 'WHARVES AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD: PHYSICAL MODELLING OF ZERO MAINTENANCE BREAKWATERS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS', Santander, Spain, presented at 7th International Conference on the Application of Physical Modelling in Coastal and Port Engineering and Science (Coastlab18), Santander, Spain, 22 May 2018 - 26 May 2018,
    Reports | 2018
    Modra B; Blacka M; Young S, 2018, Pitt Island Wharf 3D Physical Model Testing, Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2017/11
    Reports | 2018
    Modra B; Drummond CD; Deiber M; Tucker TA, 2018, Additional Testing of Amrun Combined Spillway Model, Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2017/10
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Modra B; Felder S; Montano L; Mathieu D; Martin C; Wiltshire C; Raymond M; Maher B, 2018, 'Exploring the potential of advanced instrumentation in physical hydraulic modelling for spillway design', in ANCOLD 2018 Conference Proceedings, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA, presented at ANCOLD 2018 Conference, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA, 11 October 2018 - 12 October 2018
    Reports | 2018
    Modra B; Howe D, 2018, Performance Testing of the SPELFilter, Water Research Laboratory, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2018/18
    Conference Papers | 2017
    Callaghan DP; Couriel E; Hanslow D; Modra B; Fitzhenry M; Jacobs R, 2017, 'Comparing extreme water levels using different techniques and impact of climate indices', in Australasian Coasts and Ports 2017 Conference, pp. 282 - 288
    Reports | 2017
    Modra B; Carley JT; Harrison AJ, 2017, South West Rocks Surf Club Foreshore Development Plan, Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2017/06
    Reports | 2017
    Smith G; Modra B; Tucker TA; Cox RJ; Felder S, 2017, Vehicle Stability Testing for Flood Flows, Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2017/07,
    Conference Papers | 2017
    Smith GP; modra B; Felder S, 2017, 'Experimental Testing of Flood Hazard Curves for a Partially Submerged Vehicle', in Brady P; Felder S (ed.), 13th Hydraulics in Water Engineering Conference, Sydney, presented at 13th Hydraulics in Water Engineering Conference, Sydney, 13 November 2017 - 16 November 2017,
    Reports | 2016
    Coghlan IR; Carley J; Modra B; Guerry N, 2016, Kingscliff Beach Foreshore Protection Works Part B - Detailed Concept Terminal Seawall Design, Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2014/15
    Reports | 2016
    Modra BD; Carley J, 2016, Design of Sand Island for Bird Habitat at Taren Point NSW, Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydney, Manly Vale, NSW, WRL TR2016/12
    Conference Presentations | 2016
    Modra BD; Coghlan IJ; Carley J; Blumberg G; Boyd W, 2016, 'Wave Forces and Overtopping on Stepped Seawalls', presented at NSW Coastal Conference, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia, 09 November 2016 - 11 November 2016,
    Reports | 2015
    Drummond C; Modra B; Blacka M, 2015, Coastal Imaging and Shoreline Analysis Report: Palm Beach and Northern Gold Coast Beaches, March – August 2015, Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Australia, Manly Vale, NSW, 2093, WRL TR2015/21
    Conference Papers | 2015
    Taylor D; Garber S; Burston J; Couriel E; Modra B; Kinsela M, 2015, 'Verification of a coastal Wave Transfer Function for the New South Wales coastline', in Australian Coasts and Ports 2015 Conference, pp. 886 - 893
    Conference Papers | 2013
    Jacobs R; Jayewardene IFW; Couriel E; Modra B; Young S; Russell G; Main R, 2013, 'Case studies from fifteen years in assessing storm damage and Modelling repair strategies on Coffs Harbour east breakwater', in Coasts and Ports 2013, pp. 424 - 429
    Conference Papers | 2013
    Kulmar M; Modra B; Fitzhenry M, 2013, 'The new south wales wave climate improved understanding through the introduction of directional wave monitoring buoys', in Coasts and Ports 2013, pp. 453 - 458
    Conference Papers | 2013
    McPherson B; Young S; Modra B; Couriel E; You B; Hanslow D; Callaghan D; Baldock T; Nielsen P, 2013, 'Penetration of tides and tidal anomalies in new south wales estuaries', in Coasts and Ports 2013, pp. 537 - 542
    Conference Papers | 2011
    Coghlan IR; Mole MA; Shand TD; Carley JT; Peirson WL; Miller BM; Kulmar M; Couriel E; Modra B; You Z-J, 2011, 'High Resolution Wave Modelling (HI-WAM) for Batemans Bay detailed wave study', in Conference proceedings of Coasts and ports 2011, Engineers Australia, Canberra, Australia, pp. 215 - 220, presented at 20th Australasian Coastal and Ocean Engineering Conference 2011 and the 13th Australasian Port and Harbour Conference 2011, COASTS and PORTS 2011, Perth, WA, 28 September 2011 - 30 September 2011,