Research
We are a world leading research group in the area of Civil Engineering Fluid Mechanics
The Fluid Mechanics Section is one of seven groups within the 5-star rated Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. It has seven academic staff members with a diverse range of research interests. These can be broadly split into two themes:
Research Areas
Coastal, waves and renewable energy
* Categorisation of real sea states
* Extreme wave modeling: application to offshore and coastal engineering
* Mean flow circulation patterns in estuarine and coastal environment
* Fluid-structure interactions: involving both offshore and coastal structures
* Wave and current transformation processes in nearshore waters
* Experimental fluid mechanics
* Fluid loading and flow-induced vibration
* Renewable energy in the marine environment: resources and devices
Environmental Fluid Mechanics
* Computational fluid mechanics
* Airflows in buildings-natural and hybrid ventilation
* Fire and smoke movement in tunnels and buildings
* Local exhaust ventilation systems
* Sediment transport: beach erosion and accretion
* Surf zone dynamics
* Jets, plumes and buoyancy driven flow
An overview of current research activity can be obtained by reference to the academic staff and researchers lists below.
Academic staff and on-going postgraduate research
Fluid Mechanics Academic and Teaching Staff A-Z
| Photo | Details |
|---|---|
 |
Henry BurridgeLecturer in Environmental Fluid Mechanics, PhDTransport of heat and mass by convection; Convection in the built environment; Effective ventilation of buildings; Modification of natural materials for use in buildings. |
 |
Adrian CallaghanSenior Lecturer, PhDBreaking waves; Surface water waves; Two-phase flows; Air-entrainment; Upper ocean turbulence. |
 |
Marios ChristouLecturer in Fluid Mechanics and Mathematics, PhD, DIC, MEng, ACGIDirector of MSc Engineering Fluid Mechanics for the Offshore, Coastal and Built Environments Metocean, Offshore and Coastal Engineering; Wave statistics; Freak/rogue waves; Analysis of Field Measurements; Wave-structure interaction; Wave-vessel interaction; Infragravity waves; Side-by-side and tandem offloading; Boundary Element Modelling. |
 |
John CraskeLecturer, Imperial College Research Fellow, PhDBuilding physics; Buoyancy-driven turbulence; Jets and plumes; Numerical analysis; Inverse problems; Adjoint methods; Flow optimisation; Data assimilation. |
 |
Francesc Fàbregas FlaviàLecturer in Energy Systems, PhDMarine renewables; Hydrodynamics; Fluid-structure interaction; Multiple-scattering techniques. |
 |
Graham HughesChair in Environmental Fluid Mechanics, PhDBuoyancy-driven flows; Stratified turbulence and mixing; Convection; Turbulent plumes and jets; Flow energetics. |
 |
Ali MashayekLecturer in Environmental Fluid Mechanics, PhDGeophysical fluid dynamics, density stratified turbulence, ocean turbulence, ocean circulation, climate dynamics |
 |
Chris SwanProfessor of Hydrodynamics, PhD, CEng, MIMarESTHead of Fluid Mechanics Section Surface water waves; Extreme ocean waves; Wave kinematics; Wave statistics; Wave-structure and wave-vessel interactions; Wave loading; Impact loading; Experimental and numerical modeling. |
 |
Maarten van ReeuwijkReader in Fluid Mechanics, BSc MSc PhDBuoyancy driven flows; Atmospheric and oceanic turbulence; Sustainable cities; Flow and dispersion in urban canopies; Heat and mass transfer; Direct Numerical Simulation; Large-eddy simulation. |
| Fluid Mechanics Academics A-Z | |
Download our Departmental Research Brochure
Fluid Mechanics Research Staff A-Z
| Photo | Details |
|---|---|
 |
Li MaResearch AssociateExtreme wave loads and Convection losses in concentrated solar thermal energy systems. Email Li |
 |
Jean-Paul MolliconeMulti-scale dynamics at the turbulent/non-turbulent interface of jets and plumes.Email Jean-Paul |
| Fluid Mechanics Research Staff A-Z | |
Fluid Mechanics Research Students A-Z
A good impression of our research interests and activities is also given by reviewing abstracts of completed Postgraduate research.
Completed PhD Research
Fluid Mechanics Alumni 2010-2019
2019
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Hadjigeorgiou, Demetris | Nonlinear wave interactions in realistic sea states Supervised by: Swan, C.; Christou, M. |
2018
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Alpresa Gutierrez, Paola | Fluid dynamics of orbitally-shaken shallow fluid layers Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M.; Sherwin, S.; Weinberg, P. |
| Kaisman, Erwan Hafizi | Numerical modelling of wave interactions with a vertical surface-piercing column. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: |
| Ma, Li | The effective modelling of wave-in-deck loads. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First destination: Post-doc position in the Fluid Mechanics Section |
2017
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Makri, Isavella | Hydrodynamics of floating offshore wind turbines. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Christou, M. First Destination: |
| De Lutio, Livio | Extreme waves in intermediate and shallow water depth [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Senior Analyst, Data Science & Analytics at Criteo |
| Bruggemann, Mark | Floating body hydrodynamics: A load driven approach. [Read the abstract] Supervisor: Spinneken, J., Swan, C. First Destination: Evergreen Innovations |
2016
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Aknin, David | Creating a shallow-water experimental wave environment. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Spinneken, J., Swan, C. First Destination: Operations Assistant Manager on the ECO scheme at Ofgem |
| Craske, John | Unsteady turbulent jets and plumes. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M. First Destination: Academic position at Imperial College |
| Haley, Joe | Fluid forcing in the crests of large ocean waves. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Shell |
| Rodriguez, Marcos | The nonlinear wave loading and dynamic response of a freely-floating two-dimensional box. [Read the abstract] Supervisor: Spinneken, J., Swan, C. First Destination: Offshore Structural Engineer, Ramboll (Offshore Wind) |
2014
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Acred, Andy | Natural ventilation in multi-storey buildings: a preliminary design approach. [Read the abstract][Read the abstract] Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M., Hunt, G.R. First Destination: Research Associate, University of Cambridge |
| Shrinivas, Ajay Balasubramanian | Unconfined and confined turbulent plumes and jets in stratified environments. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Hunt, G.R., van Reeuwijk, M. First Destination: |
| Latheef, Mohamed | Surface wave statistics in directionally spread seas. [Read the abstract] Supervisor: Spinneken, J., Swan, C. First Destination: |
2013
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Ely, Alice | Numerical modelling of viscous and turbulent free-surface flows using smoothed particle hydrodynamics. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Scientist, Hydrodynamics & Metocean Group, HR Wallingford |
| Connick, Owen | The fluid mechanics of hybrid ventilation. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Hunt, G.R. First Destination: Technology Analyst at ClearViewIP |
| Burridge, Henry | The behaviour of miscible Boussinesq fountains in uniform quiescent environments. [Read the abstract][Read the abstract] Supervised by: Hunt, G.R. First Destination: Post-doctoral researcher, University of Cambridge |
| Lynch, Paul |
Aspects of the fluid mechanics of night-purging multi-storey atrium buildings. [Read the abstract]
Supervisor: Hunt, G.R.First Destination: Engineer, ARUP |
2012
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Peric, Milena | Nonlinear wave interactions with multiple bodies in close proximity. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Civil and environmental engineer, ASMEC, Serbia |
2011
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Ezzamel, Adam | Free and confined buoyant flows. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Hunt, G.R. First Destination: Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Senergy Energy Services |
| Myrtroeen, Joergen | Negatively buoyant fluid projectiles. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Hunt, G.R. First Destination: Trainee in SN Power |
| Roos, Jannicke | Wave-structure interaction. The effective prediction of wave-in-deck loads. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Management Consultant, McKinsey & Co. |
| Spentza, Eirini | Nonlinear wave interactions with fixed and floating bodies leading to unexpected wave impacts. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Metocean engineer at GL Noble Denton |
| Archibald, Stuart | Modelling of extreme ocean waves using high-performance computing. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Technical member of staff at OpenGamma |
Fluid Mechanics 2000-2009
2009
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Economidou, Marina | Transient buoyancy-driven flows in multi-storey buildings -- the fluid mechanics Supervised by: Professor G. R. Hunt First Destination: Senior Expert in Energy Efficiency at Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) |
| Spinneken, Johannes | Wave generation and absorption using force-feedback control Supervisor: Swan, C. First Destination: Lecturer, Imperial College London |
| Larice, Giuliana | Classifying steady states in emptying-filling boxes Supervisor: Professor G. R. Hunt First Destination: Management Consultant, PWC |
| Cooper, Jonathan | The role of atria in the passive ventilation of multi-storey buildings Supervisor: Professor G. R. Hunt First Destination: Civil Engineer, Transport for London |
| Radomski, Simon | Ventilation driven by complex heat distributions Supervised by: Professor G. R. Hunt. First Destination: Anglican Church |
2006
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Hague, Caroline | Fully nonlinear computations of directional waves, including wave breaking Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: MSc in Web Intelligence at King's College London |
| Masterton, Stephen | Nonlinear wave-structure interaction: scattering, forcing and dynamic response Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Shell International Exploration & Production B.V. |
| Allgayer, David | Air and heat movement by revolving doors Supervised by: Professor G. R. Hunt First Destination: Structural Engineer, Expedition Engineering |
| Coffey, Chris | The fluid mechanics of emptying boxes Supervised by: Professor G. R. Hunt First Destination: Ministry of Defence |
| Christou, Marios | Fully nonlinear computations of waves and wave-structure interaction Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Shell International Exploration & Production B.V. |
| Syrios, Kostas | Natural ventilation of buildings in urban canyons Supervised by: Professor G. R. Hunt |
2005
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Katsardi, Vasiliki (Vanessa) | Surface water waves in intermediate and shallow water depths Supervised by: Swan, C. |
| Tzivanaki, Kalliopi (Kelly) | The measurement of surface water waves simultaneously in space and time Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Researcher, National Technical University of Athens |
2004
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Sheikh, Rizwan | Wave scattering from a vertical, surface-piercing cylinder Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Shell International Exploration & Production B.V., |
| Gibson, Richard | Wave interactions and wave statistics in directional seas Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: British Petroleum (BP) |
2002
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Fung, C F (Chak Fai) | The structure of air-flow over waves Supervised by: Swan, C. |
2000
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Bateman, Will | Numerical modelling of extreme 3-D waves Supervised by: Swan, C. |
| James, Richard | Nonlinear wave-current interactions Supervised by: Swan, C. |
| Chamberlain, Neil | Oil spills in a wave environment Supervised by: Swan, C. |
Fluid Mechanics 1990-1999
1990-1999
| Name | Title and supervisor |
|---|---|
| Smith, Susan | Large transient waves in shallow water Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
| Black, Duncan | The interaction between waves and an overlying air flow Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
| Bashir, Tahir | Nonlinear inertial loading and the onset of structural "ringing" Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
| Kwan, S H (Shun Hang | A study of the near-field characteristics of round turbulent jets discharged int Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
| Johannssen, T B | The effect of directionality on the nonlinear behaviour of extreme transient oce Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
| Cummins, Ian | Nonlinear wave-current interactions Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
| Baldock, Tom (T E) | Nonlinear transient water waves Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
PhD Applicants
The Fluid Mechanics section welcomes PhD applications from highly motivated and enthusiastic students with a good first degree in a relevant discipline. Please see our Postgraduate research (PhD) page for more information.
Research Collaboration
Research collaboration with researchers from other universities and institutes is welcomed where complementary capabilities can be used to address current problems. For enquiries please contact Professor Chris Swan.
Consultancy
Many of our academics offer consultancy and expert witness services to Industry and Government, putting their expert knowledge into practice to address engineering problems all over the world. For more information please visit the Department's consultancy pages.
