Master Thesis: Propeller Pulsations and Hull Vibration

Volvo Penta AB; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 234,000 - 279,000; Full time

Job summary

Volvo Penta in Gothenburg, Sweden seeks a Master’s thesis student to investigate how propeller pressure pulsations transfer into the boat and contribute to hull vibration and structure-borne noise, using CFD inputs provided by Volvo Penta specialists.

The work focuses on structural dynamics, vibrations and acoustics, with CFD data supplied by experts and applied to a model hull. Starting January 2027, 1–2 students are welcome to apply.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of solid and fluid mechanics.
• Experience with finite element methods.
• Understanding of structural dynamics and vibrations.
• Acoustics knowledge helpful.
• Hydrodynamics familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Literature study of propeller pressure pulsations, hull vibration and noise, including added-mass effects of surrounding water.
• FE modelling of an example hull and mapping CFD pressure results onto the structure.
• Compare vibration contributions from pressure pulsations vs gearbox path.
• Develop, if feasible, a simplified method for accounting for the phenomenon.
• Conduct acoustic simulation of the engine room.

Skills

Solid and fluid mechanics

Finite element method

Structural dynamics and vibrations

Acoustics

Hydrodynamics

Education

Applied Mechanics

Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)

Languages Swedish or English

Job description

Volvo Penta in Gothenburg, Sweden seeks a Master’s thesis student to investigate how propeller pressure pulsations transfer into the boat and contribute to hull vibration and structure-borne noise, using CFD inputs provided by Volvo Penta specialists.

The work focuses on structural dynamics, vibrations and acoustics, with CFD data supplied by experts and applied to a model hull. Starting January 2027, 1–2 students are welcome to apply.