PhD Studentship – 1 Structural Integrity of Offshore Wind Substructures
NSIRC PhD Studentship Structural Integrity of Offshore Wind Substructures
Institution - National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC)
PhD Supervisor - Dr Carol Johnston (TWI) and Professor Ali Mehmanparast (University of Strathclyde)
Funding Availability - Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
Background and Industry Need
Originally, the inside surface of wind turbine structures was designed to be dry, and so ‘in air’ fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) laws should have been relevant. In practice, corrosion is observed inside wind turbine structures. On the outside of the structures, the splash zone presents a different environment to that of being fully immersed in seawater.
FCGR laws are provided in BS 7910 which includes in air, free corrosion in seawater and in seawater with cathodic protection. The FCGR laws in BS 7910 were obtained from analysis of results of tests performed on specimens and welds, fully immersed in seawater, and so they may not be representative of the environment experienced by offshore wind substructures.
If the environments experienced by offshore wind substructures are different enough to the immersed condition, they could result in different FCGR than predicted by current standard recommendations. If actual FCGRs are higher than expected, substructures may fail prematurely. If FCGRs are lower, unnecessary remediation and inspections may be carried out. More representative FCGR laws could enable significant cost savings for the wind industry.
Objectives
Approach
Through searching publicly available information, and interviews with industrial contacts, information on the environment inside offshore wind substructures will be documented.
The student will review the basis of the existing FCGR laws in BS 7910. The environments used to generate the current FCGR laws and the environment experienced by wind turbine substructures will be compared and contrasted. This analysis will be used to define the test environment needed.
Novel test method(s) for obtaining FCGR from specimens in environments that represent those inside offshore wind substructures will then be developed. Through analysis of conditions experienced by offshore wind substructures, test parameters such as seawater composition, temperature, wet-dry times etc will be proposed and methods to subject FCGR test specimens to those conditions will be suggested.
It is expected that the methods that are developed will involve FCGR tests on specimens that are not immersed in seawater but are exposed to seawater, as it is understood that the environment inside a wind turbine structure will involve high humidity and condensation. The splash zone may be represented by a version of intermittent saltwater spray testing.
The student will work with TWI technicians to assemble the equipment needed to create those test conditions so that FCGR trials can be performed in the new environments.
FCGR tests using the new test methods, and FCGR tests on specimens fully immersed in seawater, will be performed on grade S355 steel. The data generated will provide some insight into the FCGR performance of steel in offshore wind substructures. The results will be compared to the current FCGR laws and specimens will be characterised so that the effect of the test conditions on the corrosion fatigue performance can be understood.
Keywords
Offshore wind, renewables, fatigue crack growth, engineering critical assessment, structural integrity, data analysis
About University/Department
The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde is one of the largest and most successful engineering faculties in the UK, and the largest in Scotland. As a leading international technological university, Strathclyde University is recognised for its world class research, knowledge exchange and educational programmes. University of Strathclyde hosts the highest ranked Naval Architecture, Marine and Ocean Engineering department in Europe and is a world-leader in marine structural integrity. The Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering is recognised nationally and internationally for its excellence in teaching and research in naval architecture, ocean engineering, marine engineering, and small craft technology. The Department has excellent hydrodynamic testing facilities and expanding structural testing laboratory and has led the establishment of Strathclyde Marine Institute which co-ordinates and promotes joint research in all aspects of marine science, technology, business, finance and law across the University.
About NSIRC
NSIRC is a state-of-the-art postgraduate engineering facility established and managed by structural integrity specialist TWI, working closely with lead academic partner Brunel University, the universities of Cambridge, Manchester, Loughborough, Birmingham, Leicester and a number of leading industrial partners. NSIRC aims to deliver cutting edge research and highly qualified personnel to its key industrial partners.
Candidate Requirements
Candidates should have a relevant degree at 2.1 minimum, or an equivalent overseas degree in (academic and industry requirements) Overseas applicants should also submit IELTS results (minimum 6.5) if applicable.
Funding Notes
This project is funded by TWI Ltd and the University of Strathclyde. The funding covers the cost of Home/EU tuition fees and a standard tax-free RCUK stipend for three years. Non-EU students are welcome to apply, but the funding will only cover the cost of overseas tuition fees and the applicant needs to self-fund their living cost for three years.
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