Sustainable Ocean Engineering

Objectives

After completing the module, students will have a broad and solid knowledge of the design, loading, and dynamics of offshore structures, as well as aspects of sustainability in the field of offshore engineering.

The basics of calculating loads on fixed offshore structures enables students to perform initial designs of such structures. Using the example of offshore wind, the basic parameters are taught and relevant calculation methods are derived. Also using the example of offshore wind, students are taught the aspect of scour formation and the relevant calculation principles. Particular attention is paid to the various analysis methods. The consideration of morphodynamic processes is extended by teaching the fundamentals of seabed liquefaction around marine structures. This content enables students to make basic predictions of failures and morphodynamic processes. In addition to fixed offshore structures, students are taught the basics on loads and motion of floating offshore structures. Using examples of floating structures for marine renewable energy generation (e.g. ocean wave energy or floating photovoltaics), the basics of linear potential theory, equation of motion and Cummins equation are explained. The additional knowledge on the application of the governing equations and modelling of motions of simple floating structures enables students to design simple, floating systems in the offshore environment. As part of the fundamentals of floating offshore structures, the module also addresses the mooring and anchoring of such systems and provides students with basic knowledge of load calculation, mooring design and dynamics.

Finally, the module specifically covers aspect of sustainability of systems in offshore engineering and the basics of life-cycle assessment and environmental impact, in order to enable students to make assessments regarding the sustainability of offshore structures.

Topics

  • Introduction to ocean engineering and offshore structures (classification, definitions), as well as aspects of sustainability in ocean engineering
  • Fundamental of loading on fixed offshore structures (example system, loads on a monopile for wind energy conversion, definition of relevant parameters, Morison equation, design load cases)
  • Calculation of scour (analytical, experimental and numerical methods) and scour-induced failure (using the example of a founded pile)
  • Seabed liquefaction around marine structures (fundamentals and calculation methods)
  • Fundamentals of loading on and movement of floating offshore structures (example systems, definition of relevant parameters, loads on a floating structure for renewable energy generation, linear potential theory, equation of motion and Cummins equation, modelling in the frequency and time domain)
  • Mooring and anchor systems (load calculation, mooring design and dynamics)
  • Life-cycle assessment and environmental impact
  • Sustainable research aspects and innovative offshore structures