PhD: Research Studentship in Experimental Methods for Dynamic Measurement and Modelling of Offshore Wind Structures

4-year DPhil (PhD) studentship starting October 2021

Supervisor: Professor Ross McAdam

This project is concerned with laboratory scale model testing to measure and predict offshore wind dynamic structural behaviour. Novelty stems from the use of high-quality instrumentation (including accelerometers and fibre optic strain gauging) to measure dynamics of laboratory scale offshore wind structures mounted on physically accurate geotechnical foundations. There will be opportunities to develop the project in areas, such as (i) Calibration and identification of geotechnical foundation properties using experimental and numerical results; (ii) Foundation model development and validation for critical effects, such as foundation scouring, soil added-mass and damping; (iii) Cross-validation of modelling approaches against full scale offshore wind dynamic measurements. Candidates demonstrating potential for high quality laboratory testing, with an appreciation for modelling of structural dynamics, are sought. The project contributes to the emerging area at Oxford, of field data driven identification methods that feedback to offshore wind turbine foundation design. The applicant will join a strong team of students, academics and offshore wind industrial partners, aiming to integrate the latest geotechnical and structural dynamics models to improve offshore wind turbine design.

The successful applicant will be a member of the EPSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Wind and Marine Energy Systems and Structures (WAMESS CDT), which is a collaboration between the Universities of Strathclyde, Oxford and Edinburgh. Further details of the WAMESS CDT can be found on the course page on the University’s graduate admissions website. The CDT is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and is keen to attract applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Eligibility

This studentship is funded by the WAMESS CDT and is open to Home/ROI classified students only. Further details can be found here under the “Fee Status” tab.

Award Value

Course fees will be covered at the level set for Home/ROI students (currently £8290 p.a.) and a stipend (tax-free maintenance grant) will be paid at the enhanced rate applicable to WAMESS CDT students (currently £18508 p.a.).

Candidate Requirements

Prospective candidates will be judged according to how well they meet the following criteria:

• A first class, or strong upper second class, honours degree in general engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, or other relevant discipline such as physics or applied mathematics
• Excellent mathematical skills
• Strong understanding of mechanics
• Ability to undertake scientific programming (e.g. in Matlab, Python, Fortran or C/C++)
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English

The following skills are desirable but not essential:

• Previous experience of dynamic laboratory testing
• Previous experience of geotechnical foundation design and/or structural modelling

Application Procedure

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Professor Ross McAdam (ross.mcadam@eng.ox.ac.uk). Please quote 21ENGCI_RM in all correspondence.

Formal applications are to be made using the online Graduate Application Form that is accessible through the WAMESS CDT course page (click the “Apply” button on the “How to Apply” tab). When filling out the fields of the Graduate Application Form, please observe the following guidance.

On the “Course” tab:

• Proposed field and title of research project: Experimental Methods for Dynamic Measurement and Modelling of Offshore Wind Structures

On the “Funding” tab:

• Are you applying for an advertised studentship competition(s): Yes
• Advertised reference code: 21ENGCI_RM

Application deadline: 22 January 2021

Start date: October 2021

Advert information