Supervisory Team: Benjamin Cerfontaine, David White & Susan Gourvenec
Project description
Are you a civil engineer or geoscientist who wants to contribute to the fight against climate change? During this PhD, you will work on anchoring solutions for floating offshore wind turbines and contribute to make renewable energy more competitive and sustainable.
The deployment of offshore wind turbines (OWT) is key to providing renewable energy and ensuring the UK/EU are carbon neutral and energy secure by 2050. To achieve this objective, we must install thousands of OWT every year. OWT of the future will be floating, to harness stronger winds in deeper water. Creating arrays of wind turbines, where several turbines are moored to one shared seafloor anchor, is a simple way of reducing the number of anchors to be manufactured/installed, hence to reduce the overall cost of energy. However, a shared anchor will be loaded in multiple directions, which can lead to its premature catastrophic failure.
The aim of the PhD is to study the behaviour of shared anchors subjected to cyclic complex loading. You will use advanced finite element modelling and soil constitutive models to simulate the behaviour of shared anchors over time. You will validate your simulations against experimental results, building on the SEAMLESS project funded by the SUPERGEN ORE Hub.
Your results will contribute to the definition of new guidance for the emergent shared anchor technology. Your project will be carried out in close partnership with industry stakeholders, making sure your work is highly relevant and practical. You work can have real-life impact if adopted by the industry and will contribute to the decarbonation of the economy.
In Southampton, you will have the opportunity to work with a team of experts in geotechnical engineering, but also to acquire transdisciplinary knowledge (e.g. mooring behaviour at NOC). You will join the Centre of Excellence for Intelligent and Resilient Ocean Engineering (IROE). You will have access to the EPSRC Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub, providing you with many networking opportunities in academia and industry, but also transdisciplinary knowledge of recent research. You will also have access to the brand-new Geomechanics Laboratory and Geotechnical Centrifuge Facilities.
At the end of the project, you will be equipped with advanced numerical skills, state-of-the-art knowledge of (shared) anchor design and a strong network across the offshore renewable industry. You will be encouraged to write scientific papers, attend conference and acquire transferrable skills.
Entry Requirements
A First class or high 2:1 Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline with enthusiasm for further study in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering.
Closing date
31 July 2023 or until a suitable applicant has been recruited.
Funding
For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £17,668 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years. You will have the opportunity to enhance your stipend through tutoring and demonstrating.
How To Apply
Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), 2023/24, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Benjamin Cerfontaine
Applications should include
Curriculum Vitae
Two reference letters
Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date
For further information please contact: [Email Address Removed]
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