PhD Studentship: Development of advanced CFD tools for modelling extreme loading on offshore renewable energy converters

Project contact: Dr Ling Qian

Funding info:

Home fees (2023/24) included plus an annual stipend paid at the UKRI rate (£17,668 for 2022/23). 

Mode of study: Full time

Eligibility:

Open to home and overseas students.

Eligible overseas students will need to make up the difference in tuition fees. 

Key dates:        

Closing date: 16 October 2023

Expected start: January 2024

Project summary

The study of wave structure interaction (WSI) is fundamental to the design and development of coastal, offshore and ocean engineering structures, including sea defences and emerging offshore renewable energy (ORE) technologies (for conversion of wind, wave and tidal energy to electricity), and is thus an area of global importance, considering the threats of climate change. With the wide availability and constant improvement of in-house, commercial and open-source codes, covering the full spectrum of model fidelity and efficiency, numerical modelling in the form of a so-called numerical wave tank (NWT) has become an indispensable part of WSI research and industrial applications.

However, modelling applications involving complex WSI accurately and efficiently, especially those associated with extreme marine conditions, is particularly challenging because these are multi-physics, multi-scale problems. As a consequence, coupling of multiple codes, with different capabilities, may become the only practical solution as highlighted in recent numerical comparative studies and code blind test series conducted by the international WSI community. However, within the current WSI code coupling framework, coupling between flow solvers is done on an ad hoc basis through a predefined fixed interface, limiting its applications to simple WSI problems and the potential gains in computational efficiency from code coupling.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the project is to develop an advanced coupled framework for Numerical Wave Tank (NWT) software with enhanced functionality, accuracy and efficiency for modelling complex wave structure interaction problems involving moving/floating structures and multiple flow physics. The aim will be achieved through the following:

• Implement a novel dynamic code coupling interface for coupling flow solvers within an NWT
• Optimise multi-model coupling, including designing and implementing conservative interpolation schemes as well as its implementation on high performance computers.
• Apply the developed code to evaluate the performance and survivability of emerging offshore renewable technologies such as floating wind and wave energy converters.
• Prepare papers for publication in high quality scientific journals.

Specific requirements of the project

Potential candidates should have or expect to obtain a first or upper-second Honours degree, or equivalent, in Engineering, Mathematics or Physical Sciences. Knowledge of fluid dynamics and good programming skills are essential. A Master’s degree in a relevant subject would be an advantage. Experience of using High Performance Computing (HPC) in the context of CFD would be beneficial.

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Prof Ling Qian for an informal discussion.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Computing and digital technology (or download the PGR application form), by clicking the 'Apply' button, above.

You should also complete the PGR thesis proposal (supplementary information) form addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section, or email the application form and statement to mailto:PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-LQ-2023-renewable-energy-converters

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