Research in the Coastal, Ocean and Sediment Transport (COAST) laboratory

Researchers used a combined program of field measurements, laboratory studies and analytical and numerical investigations to enable characterisation of environmental loading and performance to support management of lighthouse structural condition. The team were able to gather valuable data from progressive testing in both the 35m sediment flume and the Coastal Basin.

The aim of this research was to investigate the detailed physics of violent hydrodynamic impact loading on rigid and elastic structures through a carefully integrated programme of numerical modelling and physical experiments at large scale. 

Models of 1:100 scale were fixed to the gantry in the University of Plymouth Ocean Basin for the first scenario. Further tests were carried out in heave motion only, heave and pitch and in full 6 degrees of freedom (6 DOF) floating scenarios. 

This project was funded by H2020 and focused on the minimisation of the number of expensive anchors for a generic array of wave energy converters, via the interlinking of devices. The model was tested in the Ocean Basin using regular and irregular waves at a range of frequencies and amplitudes. 

Experiments conducted in the Ocean Basin measured the hydrodynamic interactions between a small vessel alongside a larger vessel during a launch and recovery operation. This data was used in the development of a zonal CFD approach for simulating these interactions.

Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is an optical method of flow visualization used in education and research. It is used to obtain instantaneous velocity measurements and related properties in fluids.  Dr Edward Ransley has used PIV in the COAST Lab to great effect as these images and video’s demonstrate.

Windt, C., Untrau, A., Davidson, J., Ransley, E. J., Greaves, D., Ringwood, J. V., Assessing the validity of regular wave theory in a short physical wave flume using particle image velocimetry, Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 121 (2021).