Topology optimization for submerged buoyant structures

This paper presents an evolutionary structural topology optimization method for the design of completely submerged buoyant modules with design-dependent fluid pressure loading. This type of structure is used to support offshore rig installation and pipeline transportation at all water depths. The proposed optimization method seeks to identify...

Impact of Two Plumes' Interaction on Submarine Melting of Tidewater Glaciers: A Laboratory Study

Idealized laboratory experiments investigate the glacier–ocean boundary dynamics near a vertical glacier in a two-layer stratified fluid. Discharge of meltwater runoff at the base of the glacier (subglacial discharge) enhances submarine melting. In the laboratory, the effect of multiple sources of subglacial discharge is simulated by introducing...

Impact of the depth-to-width ratio of periodically stratified tidal channels on the estuarine circulation

The dependency of the estuarine circulation on the depth-to-width ratio of a periodically, weakly stratified tidal estuary is systematically investigated here for the first time. Currents, salinity, and other properties are simulated by means of the General Estuarine Transport Model (GETM) in cross-sectional slice mode, applying a symmetric...

3D CFD modelling of overflow dredging plumes

3D CFD simulations, lab experiments and field measurements are used to get more understanding of the turbulent near field overflow dredging plume mixing. The focus has been on the most often used dredging vessel: a trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD). Near field overflow dredging plume mixing is important because it determines the far field...

Topology Optimization including Inequality Buoyancy Constraints

This paper presents an evolutionary topology optimization method for applications in design of completely submerged buoyant devices with design-dependent fluid pressure loading. This type of structures aid rig installations and pipeline transportation in all water depths in offshore structural engineering. The proposed optimization method seeks...

On the levitation force in horizontal core-annular flow with a large viscosity ratio and small density ratio

A numerical study has been made of horizontal core-annular flow: the flow of a high-viscosity liquid core surrounded by a low-viscosity liquid annular layer through a horizontal pipe. Special attention is paid to the question how the buoyancy force on the core, caused by a density difference between the core and the annular layer, is...

Long-term unsteadiness and large-scale structures in Rayleigh-Bénard convection with and without electromagnetic forcing

This dissertation focuses on turbulent thermal convection, which occurs in a wide range of (geo)physical situations, like in the atmosphere, the oceans, the interior of stars or planets, and engineering applications, like metal casting or crystal growth processes. In this work, a special type of thermal convection, Rayleigh-Bénard convection, is...

Direct simulation and regularization modeling of turbulent thermal convection

This dissertation focuses on turbulent thermal convection, which occurs in a wide range of geophysical and engineering situations, such as the atmosphere, the sun, the earth's mantle, indoor climates etc. The first part of the thesis comprises a fundamental study of Rayleigh-BÉnard convection in a domain with aspect-ratio four. An ensemble of...

Gravity-driven bubbly flows

Buoyancy-driven leakage of oil from a ruptured submarine pipeline

The rupture of a submarine oil pipeline starts various mechanisms leading to an oil spill. Among these mechanisms the leakage of oil driven by the difference in specific gravities of oil and sea-water is difficult to estimate. A simple mathematical model has been developed and laboratory experiments have been carried out to obtain an insight...