About the Project
The hydrodynamics and turbulence dynamics of wave breaking are important in the context of breaking wave forces on offshore and coastal structures, as well in the context of coastal sand transport in shallow water because of the impact of breaking on the near-bed turbulence and bed shear stresses, and on sediment entrainment, suspension and advection. The PhD project will study breaking wave hydro- and turbulence dynamics based on experiments to be conducted in the 20m-long random wave flume at the University of Aberdeen. The particular focus will be on the effect of breaking generated turbulence on the near bed (boundary layer) region throughout the surfzone for regular and irregular waves.
The detailed hydrodynamics will be measured using high-resolution laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) and particle image velocimetry (PIV), and measurements will be compared with predictions from a Computational Fluid Dynamics model that captures the detailed flow, including turbulence.
Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a UK honours degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent) in Civil/Mechanical Engineering; other relevant physical science.
Prior knowledge of the following would be beneficial but is not essential: sea wave mechanics; environmental fluids mechanics, laboratory measurements in fluid mechanics.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
• Apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering
• State name of the lead supervisor as the Name of Proposed Supervisor
• State ‘Self-funded’ as Intended Source of Funding
• State the exact project title on the application form
When applying please ensure all required documents are attached:
• All degree certificates and transcripts (Undergraduate AND Postgraduate MSc-officially translated into English where necessary)
• Detailed CV
Informal inquiries can be made to Dr D van der A ([Email Address Removed]), with a copy of your curriculum vitae and cover letter. All general enquiries should be directed to the Postgraduate Research School ([Email Address Removed])
References
van der Zanden, J, van der A, DA, Cáceres, I, Eltard Larsen, B, Fromant, G, Petrotta, C, Scandura, P & Li, M 2019, 'Spatial and temporal distributions of turbulence under bichromatic breaking waves', Coastal Engineering, vol. 146, pp. 65-80.
van der Zanden, J, van der A, DA, Cáceres, I, Hurther, D, McLelland, SJ, Ribberink, JS & O'Donoghue, T 2018, 'Near-Bed Turbulent Kinetic Energy Budget Under a Large-Scale Plunging Breaking Wave Over a Fixed Bar', Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, vol. 123, no. 2, pp. 1429-1456.
van der A, DA, Scandura, P & O'Donoghue, T 2018, 'Turbulence statistics in smooth wall oscillatory boundary layer flow', Journal of Fluid Mechanics, vol. 849, pp. 192-230.
van der A, DA, van der Zanden, J, O'Donoghue, T, Hurther, D, Cáceres, I, McLelland, SJ & Ribberink, JS 2017, 'Large-scale laboratory study of breaking wave hydrodynamics over a fixed bar', Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, vol. 122, no. 4, pp. 3287-3310.
This project is advertised in relation to the research areas of the discipline of Engineering. The successful applicant will be expected to provide the funding for Tuition fees, living expenses and maintenance. Additional research costs up to £2,000 may be required to support experimental work. Details of the cost of study can be found by visiting View Website. THERE IS NO FUNDING ATTACHED TO THIS PROJECT
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