78639 - Ocean Engineering

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide tools and skills for the design and management of ocean structures, as well as the assessment of their impact. The course will introduce and describe the processes that characterize the oceanic environment and will provide tools for the analysis and design offshore structures and offshore approach facilities, and renewal energy plants. In particular the student will be able to analyze the sea conditions (waves, currents) and to design ocean structures, as offshore structures (TLP, spar buoys) and their interaction with waves. Attention will be dedicated to oil spill dispersion from offshore structures. The conversion of energy from the sea (waves and currents) will also be treated.

Course contents

Introduction of the Course in Ocean engineering

The ocean environment

Wind. The geostrophic approximation. Geostrophic wind.Measure of the wind.Force of the wind on the structures.

Wave. Linear Theory.Dispersion relationship.Shallow water and deep water approximation.Exercises.

Sea waves, linear wave theory. Dispersion relationship.

Irregular waves- Wave statistics

Non-linear theory of waves

Wave transformation from offshore to onshore: shoaling-refraction -diffraction

Tsunami

Exercise on the ocean environment

Interaction of waves with Offshore structures: The calculation of forces on ocean structures:

-Structural element much smaller than wavelength – drag and inertia forces.

-Structural element comparable with wavelength – diffraction forces.

Application:Design of an ocean structure

Floating Structures: Wave forces & motions theory

Floating breakwaters, Offshore TLP Sparbuoys

Principles of energy conversion from the sea, in particular Wave energy conversion. WEC typology

Design of a point absorber

Harbour engineering: Breakwaters (rubble mound and vertical)

Lay out for industrial and marina , docks

Entrance maneuvers, Moorings etc.

Readings/Bibliography

R.G. Dean & R.A. Dalrymple, Water wave mechanics for engineers and scientists, Adv. Series on Ocean Engineering – vol. 2, World Scientific

Teaching methods

The course is taught through lectures. Part of them are dedicated to the solution of practical problems, that will be developed at the computer.

Exercises with practical activities (i.e. computer programming and use of specific software) using Matlab and excel:

- statistics of extreme waves;
- dispersion relationship for evaluating wave transformation from off-shore to in-shore;
- reconstruction of the typical annual wave climate;

-Design of an ocean structure;

- Design of a point absorber.

Some lessons will be held by well known professionists in the research and design of coastal and ocean structures.

Assessment methods

The student will prepare for the exam a report of the exercises and simple application design that were developed during the course.

The preparation of the student will be assessed through an oral colloquium whose duration is about 30 minutes.

Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an outstanding understanding of the subject, a high ability for critical application, and a clear and concise presentation of the contents.

To obtain a passing grade, students are required to at least demonstrate a knowledge of the key concepts of the subject, some ability for critical application, and a comprehensible use of technical language .

A failing grade will be awarded if the student shows knowledge gaps in key-concepts of the subject, inappropriate use of language, and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.

Office hours

See the website of Renata Archetti