ERI: Multiscale Modeling of Tidal Flow and Sediment Dispersion Near Offshore Monopiles

Offshore structures support critical activities such as energy production, transportation, and environmental observation in coastal and ocean environments. These structures rest on seabed sediments that can be disturbed by strong currents. Erosion of the seabed near the foundations of the structures creates depressions that threaten structural stability, increase maintenance costs, and disrupt nearby marine habitats. This project will use computational fluid dynamics to better understand how ocean flows interact with vertical offshore foundations and seabed sediments. Results of the project will help improve the design, maintenance, and advanced manufacturing of marine energy and offshore platforms, including oil rigs and bridge pylons. The project will support workforce development in science and engineering through student training and outreach activities. The research will use large-eddy simulations to examine how tidal currents interact with vertical offshore foundations and sediment particles across a wide range of flow conditions. The project will quantify how near-bed flow structure and velocity gradients influence the forces acting on sediment and initiate erosion. In addition, the motion of sediment particles will be tracked to determine patterns of suspension, transport, and deposition around offshore structures. The results will be used to develop simplified relationships that link flow conditions and structural characteristics to seabed response, enabling improved prediction of erosion processes. This work advances fundamental knowledge in environmental and coastal fluid mechanics and provides tools that can be used to design more resilient offshore foundations. Students will be trained in computational modeling and environmental engineering, and high school students and educators in be engaged in hands-on learning activities. The project will support sustainable offshore energy development and protection of marine environments. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.