Numerical development of fluid-structure interactions from quasi-static to dynamic responses for marine structures using OpenFOAM.

Ecole Centrale de Nantes; France; On-site; EUR 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Ecole Centrale de Nantes in France invites applications for a PhD position in Marine Engineering. The project aims to develop and validate a fully coupled, high-fidelity numerical framework for fluid-structure interaction, spanning quasi-static to dynamic hydro-elastic responses, with emphasis on Ultimate Limit State (ULS) and Fatigue Limit State (FLS) assessments.

The student will work with the foamStar OpenFOAM module and collaborate with Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, benefiting from

Job description

Organisation/Company Ecole Centrale de Nantes Department Département Recherche Research Field Engineering » Mechanical engineering Engineering » Maritime engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 30 Nov 2026 - 23:00 (Africa/Abidjan) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Marine structures are designed to withstand harsh ocean environments while satisfying key limit states, particularly the Ultimate Limit State (ULS) and the Fatigue Limit State (FLS). In current industry practice, wave loads are typically computed using potential flow theory under the assumption of a rigid structure. These loads are then transferred to a finite element model through a one-way coupling approach to obtain structural deformation and internal loading. However, previous work conducted within the framework of the Chaire de recherche Bureau Veritas – Ecole Centrale de Nantes has shown that linear potential flow theory cannot accurately capture wave loads during extreme events, while Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods, solving the URANS equations, have successfully reproduced experimental data in such conditions.

This quasi-static approximation is not always sufficient: extreme events can trigger hydro-elastic phenomena such as springing and whipping. These vibratory responses can significantly increase peak stresses and the number of fatigue cycles, both of which are critical parameters for ULS and FLS assessments. Such phenomena are receiving growing attention as floating structures become larger and slenderer to meet economic demands, for example, very large container ships (>400 m) and next-generation floating wind turbine platforms.

This PhD project aims to develop and validate a fully coupled, high-fidelity numerical framework capable of capturing the full range of fluid-structure interaction behavior, from quasi-static to dynamic hydro-elastic responses, combining numerical development with experimental validation. The student will benefit from an extensive experimental database and access to additional tank testing campaigns.

The project is part of the Chaire de recherche Bureau Veritas – Ecole Centrale de Nantes, within which the high-fidelity CFD solverfoamStar, an OpenFOAM module dedicated to naval applications, is co-developed. The PhD student will join the foamStar development team, with a specific focus on the verification and validation of the hydro-elastic solver based on the generalized mode approach (a modal decomposition technique for structural deformation). The student will be based at Ecole Centrale de Nantes and will benefit from close collaboration with the Research Department of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore.