Near-bed hydrodynamics under shoaling and breaking waves at Aberdeen University on FindAPhD.com

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Dr D Van der A, Prof T O'Donoghue Applications accepted all year round Self-Funded PhD Students Only

About the Project

While wave models are reasonably good at predicting surface wave properties as waves travel to shore within a coastal region, they are poor at predicting the near-bed kinematics, which ultimately drive the sediment bed response. In particular, the models fail to correctly predict the shape (asymmetry and skewness) of the near-bed oscillatory flow as the waves shoal and fail to account for the effects of breaking-induced turbulence on the hydrodynamics in the breaking region. The PhD project will study the near-bed hydrodynamics of shoaling and breaking waves based on experiments conducted in the 20m-long random wave flume located in the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory at the University of Aberdeen. 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 numerical model that captures the detailed flow, including turbulence.

The successful candidate should have, or expect to have, an Honours Degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent) in engineering or related discipline that includes fluid mechanics will provide the essential knowledge.

Essential background: civil or mechanical engineering; other relevant physical science.

Prior knowledge of the following would be beneficial but is not essential: sea wave mechanics; laboratory measurements in fluid mechanics.

Funding Notes

This project is for self-funded students only. There is no funding attached to this project. The successful applicant will be expected to pay Tuition Fees and living expenses, from their own resources, for the duration of study.

References

Recent work by us on hydrodynamics under sea waves includes:

Van der Zanden, J., van der A., D.A., Hurther, D., Cáceres, I., O'Donoghue, T.,Ribberink, J.S. (2016). Near-bed hydrodynamics and turbulence below a large-scale plunging breaking wave over a mobile barred bed profile. Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans, 121, no 8, pp. 6482-6506, doi:10.1002/2016JC011909

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

This project is advertised in relation to the research areas of the discipline of Engineering.

Formal applications can be completed online: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply. You should apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, to ensure that your application is passed to the correct College for processing.

NOTE CLEARLY THE NAME OF THE SUPERVISOR AND EXACT PROJECT TITLE YOU WISH TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ON THE APPLICATION FORM. Applicants are limited to applying for a maximum of 2 projects. Any further applications received will be automatically withdrawn.

Informal inquiries can be made to Dr D Van Der A (d.a.vandera@abdn.ac.uk) with a copy of your curriculum vitae and cover letter. All general enquiries should be directed to the Graduate School Admissions Unit (cpsgrad@abdn.ac.uk).

Where will I study?

Aberdeen University

The University of Aberdeen is the fifth oldest university in the UK and boasts over 500 years of research and teaching excellence.

Near-bed hydrodynamics under shoaling and breaking waves

Aberdeen University School of Engineering