Fluid-structure interactions of non-cavitating and cavitating lifting surfaces

About the research project

Unsteady fluid-structure interaction (FSI) of lifting surfaces is a challenge in turbomachinery and marine hydrodynamics, where turbulent inflow, structural compliance and cavitation combine to produce complex and poorly understood dynamics. This project, based in the Cavitation Research Laboratory at the Newnham campus, aims to advance fundamental and applied understanding of how turbulent and cavitating flows interact with compliant lifting surfaces to generate unsteady loads, vibration and noise.

Lifting surfaces such as hydrofoils, propellers and control surfaces rarely operate in steady, uniform inflows. In single‑phase conditions, turbulent sources arise from immersion within thick boundary layers or ingestion of upstream disturbances, or from interaction with turbulence generated by other blades or structures. These turbulent fluctuations impose broadband, unsteady forcing on lifting surfaces, which can couple with structural compliance to amplify vibration, modify loads, and reduce performance or fatigue life.

The problem is further complicated by cavitation. Cavitation structures such as sheet cavities, cloud cavitation and bubble collapse, can strongly modulate the underlying FSI by altering pressure distributions, dynamically varying the added mass, adding unsteady forcing, and introducing additional noise sources. Understanding how cavitation interacts with compliant structures is critical for predicting and controlling real‑world performance.

This project will develop novel instrumentation to directly measure unsteady loads and structural deflections on lifting surfaces operating under turbulent and cavitating conditions. A smart shape-sensing back-bone will be developed to allow live monitoring of the structural deflections of a hydrofoil. These measurements will be combined with advanced flow diagnostics to link fluid dynamics, structural response and cavitation behaviour. The outcomes will provide new insight into coupled FSI-cavitation mechanisms and support the development of improved modelling, flow control strategies and design tools for turbomachinery and marine propulsion applications. Ultimately, this work can help reduce the noise and vibration of marine propulsors. 

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor James Venning

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years
• a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
• a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• Australian citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a personal security clearance of Baseline.

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

• Undergraduate degree in engineering or science with First Class Honours or equivalent.

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor James Venning to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 1 October 2026.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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