Numerical Modelling of Floating Offshore Wind Moorings in Variable Seabed Conditions

About the Project

This PhD scholarship is offered by the EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience; a partnership between the Universities of Durham, Hull, Loughborough and Sheffield. The successful applicant will undertake six-month of training with the rest of the CDT cohort at the University of Hull before continuing their PhD research at Durham University.

Future offshore wind energy is likely to be dominated by the use of floating turbines, where current standard options for foundations, such as monopiles and jackets, will not be economic (consider the potential depth of water). Floating wind has already been successfully demonstrated at scale on the two Hywind projects (Scotland and Denmark) where small floating windfarms have been created in which the individual units are anchored via mooring lines to suction “caissons” or “buckets” which are embedded in the seabed. As the name suggests these are upturned bucket structures which are sunk into the seabed by sucking out the water trapped beneath the structure. They have many advantages over standard foundation types particularly when it comes to installation and removal (and they can be subsequently reused if a windfarm is decommissioned). The expected upturn in their use for floating wind, especially in groups prompts the need for research to better understand their behaviour in a large range of seabed soils, during installation, and in the short and long term.

The only practical way to tackle this problem is to use numerical methods. Experimental work either in the lab or in the field is of course vital for validation of numerical models, but on its own cannot hope to cover the range of conditions for which information is desperately needed, e.g. a range of seabed soils, layered and sloping sea beds, caisson design issues, such as innovative features to improve stability, or optimization of the use of material in the structure while avoiding buckling or collapse during the lifecycle. In this PhD project you will develop and use computational techniques to tackle this important soil-structure interaction problem. Extensive use will be made of an existing method (the Material Point Method) for which the group at Durham that you will join is world leading.

Supervisors

1. Professor Charles Augarde, Durham University
2. Dr Alexandros Petalas, Durham University
3. Professor Will Coombs, Durham University
4. Professor Colin Smith, University of Sheffield

Training & Skills

You will benefit from a taught programme, giving you a broad understanding of the breadth and depth of current and emerging offshore wind sector needs. This begins with an intensive six-month programme at the University of Hull for the new student intake, drawing on the expertise and facilities of all four academic partners. It is supplemented by Continuing Professional Development (CPD), which is embedded throughout your 4-year research scholarship.

Depending on prior experience, you will receive specific technical training in computational methods (esp. the MPM), continuum mechanics, geotechnics, Matlab and Julia languages. The Advanced Research Computing unit at Durham will provide training in HPC, programming and version control.

Entry Requirements

If you have received a First-class Honours degree, or a 2:1 Honours degree and a Masters, or a Distinction at Masters level with any undergraduate degree (or the international equivalents) in Computer Science, Engineering, or Physics, we would like to hear from you.

If your first language is not English, or you require Tier 4 student visa to study, you will be required to provide evidence of your English language proficiency level that meets the requirements of the Aura CDT’s academic partners. This course requires academic IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each skill.

Guaranteed interview scheme

The CDT is committed to generating a diverse and inclusive training programme and is looking to attract applicants from all backgrounds. We offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for home fee status candidates who identify as Black or Black mixed or Asian or Asian mixed if they meet the programme entry requirements. This positive action is to support recruitment of these under-represented ethnic groups to our programme and is an opt in process. Find out more.

How to apply

Applications to the EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience are made to the University where the PhD project is based. You will find full instructions and links on the CDT website.

Applications for September 2026 entry will be considered on a rolling basis and applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to interview as applications are received.

As offers may be made before all applications are reviewed, early application is strongly encouraged.

Funding Notes

The Offshore Wind CDT is funded by EPSRC, allowing us to provide scholarships for Home students that cover fees plus a stipend set at the UKRI nationally agreed rates, circa £20,798 per annum at 2025/26 rates (subject to progress).