Research without borders: Tamsin Dobson on the biofouling challenge скачать в хорошем качестве

Research without borders: Tamsin Dobson on the biofouling challenge

Offshore wind farms are vital for a green future, but when we build in the ocean, nature moves in. In this talk, Tamsin Dobson (Civil, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering) explores the complex interaction between engineering infrastructure and marine life. specifically focusing on Biofouling. Structures like wind turbine foundations act as artificial reefs, attracting species like the Blue Mussel. However, mussels don't grow in flat layers; they form complex, rough clumps. Tamsin explains how she uses numerical modelling and 'digital twins' to simulate these mussel clusters and understand how they alter water flow (hydrodynamics) and increase drag forces on the structures. Key topics: Biofouling: How marine life colonises offshore infrastructure. The blue mussel: Understanding the geometry of mussel clumps. Hydrodynamics: How rough biological surfaces change fluid forces (drag). Structural integrity: Why understanding marine life is crucial for the safety and lifespan of renewable energy structures.