As of now TU Delft is offering a PhD position on developing a computational model for fluid-structure interactions of inflatable wings.

Placement
The work will be conducted in the Wind Energy section
(Department of Aerodynamics, Wind Energy, Flight Performance
and Propulsion) of the Aerospace Engineering Faculty. The
department is developing innovate technologies in order to
reduce significantly our energy consumption and our
dependence on fossil fuels. It has a vast expertise in
aerodynamics research for wind energy systems, including
innovative concepts such as airborne wind energy and large
offshore wind turbines.
The chair of Wind Energy has a leading position for research in
wind energy worldwide. It also leads the DUWIND research
organization, which covers almost all aspects of modern wind
turbine technology and is spread between 5 Faculties and 13
research groups. The scope of the activities is to facilitate the
development of wind energy technology and the expansion of
the use of wind power all over the world through research and
education. Both technology development aspects as well as
fundamental aspects of wind energy conversion are part of the
research program. The PhD project will benefit from this wide
in-house expertise.
Position description
Fluid-structure interactions are often critical when designing
aerodynamical systems. The project aims to numerically model
the mutual interactions between the aero- and structuraldynamics
of a tethered inflatable wing, at given instants in its
flight path. Such types of wings are employed in various
airborne wind energy concepts which are based on traction
power generation. Placing wind energy systems at high altitudes
is attractive to harness wind flows that are steadier and faster
than close to the ground. Beyond 150 metres height, however,
conventional wind turbines cannot be used because of the
excessive amount of structural materials that would be needed
to withstand the high mechanical stresses induced by heavy
rotors, when placed on tower-based foundations. Extensive
research is ongoing at TU Delft to develop innovative windenergy
systems using kites.
Kite power systems are at an early stage of development, and
thus, several questions remain open regarding their operational
conditions and optimal design. Because the inflatable wing is
lightweight and flexible, the aero- and structural- dynamic
processes are tightly coupled. Additionally, the shape of the
wing is determined by the interaction between aerodynamic
wing loading and pressure disrtibution in the tubes, on the one
hand, and internal forces in the membrane fabric and bridle
lines, on the other hand. This constitutes a challenging fluidstructure
interaction problem, which in turn affects the flight
dynamics of the wing. Due to its low inertia, the wing responds
generally very sensitively to control commands, fluctuations of
the apparent wind velocity, and other changes of geometry or
boundary conditions. This PhD project aims at understanding
these interactions using computational models. The proposed
project is highly multi-disciplinary and covers knowledge of fluid
dynamics, solid dynamics, and numerical analysis.
Position conditions
The candidate should have a MSc degree in an area relevant to
the subject, e.g. numerical analysis, engineering (aerospace,
mechanical or civil), or applied physics, with preferably a
specialisation in numerical methods for fluids and/or deformable
solids. A combination of good mathematical/analytical skills and
proven experience with research in numerical modeling is
required. Having only been a user of FEM or CFD codes is not
sufficient.
For more information contact:
Dr. Axelle Viré Delft University of Technology Faculty of Aerospace Engineering Kluyverweg 1 2629 HS Delft The Netherlands Tel: +31 15 278 1385 E-mail:
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To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV along with a letter of application to Dr. Axelle Viré Back to top |