PhD Studentship: Investigation of the Suitability of Low-emissions Concrete for the Construction of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines

PhD in the Engineering Hydrogen NetZero (EnerHy) CDT which is a new EPSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) focusing on research and training in the areas of Hydrogen and Wind Energy. The University of Strathclyde will lead the wind energy training and research elements of the programme. Funded by ESB and EPSRC, this 4 year this PhD studentship, at the University of Strathclyde is in the area of floating offshore wind turbines with sustainable concrete floaters. The role is for the second intake of the EnerHy programme which commences in October 2025. 

Research project overview:

To achieve carbon emissions reduction targets set out by the UK- and Irish governments up to 2050, Floating Offshore Wind energy will likely play a significant role. Construction of concrete floaters is attractive due to its high local content potential and low material costs of concrete. However, currently the production of standard Portland concrete is associated with high carbon emissions. Therefore, to decarbonise the construction of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWT), alternative, low-emissions materials for the production of concrete are desirable. The main question is, will the structural properties of these low-emissions concretes be suitable to construct FOWTs, which will be installed in the harsh conditions found around the UK and Ireland?

Potential research questions:

• Can alternative materials for cement be used to produce concrete which is suitable to manufacture FOWTs? Alternative materials could include fly ash, Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS), calcined clays, leftover rock and ore from mineral extraction, etc.
• Are these alternative materials available in sufficient quantities in the UK and Ireland? For example, a large amount of fly ash is present at Moneypoint, County Clare, Ireland. If suitable for concrete, how many floaters could be constructed with it?
• Can the addition of other materials such as fibres and plasticisers enhance the structural properties of concrete for FOWTs while maintaining sustainability / low emissions?
• What would be the potential savings in carbon emissions with the use of low-emission concretes compared to standard Portland concrete if applied to construction of FOWTs in the UK and Ireland?
• Are the structural properties of low-emissions concrete sufficient to construct FOWTs which will be installed in harsh conditions around the UK and Ireland?

Potential outputs:

• Literature review of low-emissions concretes.
• Stakeholder engagement to quantify availability of alternative materials (supply chain) for low-emissions concrete in the UK and Ireland.
• Structural tests of low-emissions concretes
• Numerical modelling (e.g. modal, FEM, or equivalent) of a concrete FOWT concept (e.g. VolturnUS) under cyclic wave, wind, and current loading for conditions found around the UK and Ireland, to determine structural suitability of low-emissions concretes used in FOWTs.

Entry Requirements and further details:

This 4 year fully funded studentship  is open to applicants with a first-class or upper second-class degree (or equivalent) in Civil, Mechanical, Structural and Marine engineering or other relevant areas.

Programme Package and Funding

Our EnerHy PhD Studentship packages includes:

• All PhD tuition fees paid.
• A tax-free stipend at UKRI rates to cover living costs.
• A substantial Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) each year to support travel, training and consumables costs.
• Additional funding to support outreach and development

Eligibility is open to all UK, EU and International. 

End date: 31^st August 2025

Please apply or by submitting your CV, cover letter and transcripts to j.carroll@strath.ac.uk and drew.smith@strath.ac.uk