The present paper gives a general overview of the large-scale physical model experiments performed at the LIM/UPC in Barcelona, within the EU-Hydralab III Integrated Infrastructure Initiative. The model tests have been carried out in a flume with a sandy dune exposed to a combination of water levels and wave conditions. Different regimes of wave attacks on the sandy beach/dune system have been investigated. In particular, the study provides a unique set of large-scale physical data concerning the wave-induced dune overwash. Measurements of hydrodynamics, sediment concentrations and beach-dune profile evolution have been carried out. Profile measurements have been used to calibrate and validate a numerical model (Kobayashi et al. 2007) to predict beach-dune profile modifications over the near-shore region. The numerical model is shown to be in agreement with the experimental data.