Graduation thesis R&D Offshore Energy

What will you do

For our R&D Offshore Engineering department, we are looking for an enthusiastic and curious graduate student to research the technical feasibility of plowing   with a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD). In this assignment, you will explore an innovative concept that could significantly improve the efficient installation of cable routes for offshore wind farms.

YOUR WORKPLACE

You will join the Engineering & Estimating Production team. This R&D team focuses on Offshore Energy equipment, with a strong emphasis on project support, new construction, and innovation.

We offer an inspiring and professional environment where you will be guided by experienced colleagues, while also having the freedom to work independently on your project. Of course, we will provide you with the necessary facilities, software, and access to relevant literature and tools.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

As a graduate student, you will research the deployment of a specially designed plow, mounted on the suction pipe of a hopper dredger and equipped with a jet system. The plow must be able to move across the seabed to create a trench in challenging soil conditions, preparing it for cable installation using a trencher.

Your tasks will include:

• Studying existing knowledge, literature, and available tools
• Continuing and revising the current conceptual design of the TSHD jet plow
• Theoretical modeling of the jet-plow system, including:
  • Interaction between geology and the plow
  • Forces acting on the suction pipe
  • Required bollard pull
  • Expected effectiveness in combination with the trencher
• Possibility to conduct scaled model tests (1:10) to validate your theoretical findings:
  • Testing the plow design in various soil types
  • Measuring forces on the plow and suction pipe