Martina's research project focuses on developing a high-accuracy workflow for conducting fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations of large offshore wind and tidal turbines using advanced 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Methods (FEM). The aim is to achieve a deeper understanding of the aeroelastic phenomena that affect turbine performance and durability in challenging offshore environments. By using high-accuracy FSI simulations, this project seeks to identify and predict the complex interactions between fluid forces and structural responses in large rotors. These insights are essential for optimising the design and longevity of offshore wind and tidal turbines, thereby contributing to greater reliability and efficiency in offshore energy production.

This research is particularly relevant to the offshore industry because it addresses an urgent need for precise, reliable models that can capture the behaviour of long, flexible turbine blades under real-world conditions. While current industry-standard models for simulating aeroelastic effects are computationally efficient, they may lack the accuracy needed to represent the full range of forces acting on large offshore wind and tidal turbines. By developing a framework that enhances the accuracy of these models while preserving their low computational cost, this work has the potential to deliver actionable improvements to existing designs.