Wind & Marine Energy Systems & StructuresAcademic Partners

Ross Young

PhD Title - Properties and Performance of Marine Composite Materials in the Splash Zone: A Study of Temperature and Pressure Gradients at the Sea Line

Composite material marine structures are used throughout a multiple industry applications and continues to grow. Degradation in the mechanical properties of composites when fully submerged in sea water is well understood and widely publicised. There is however a gap in knowledge in understanding the degradation effects of composite materials above the water surface in the splash zone. Here the structure is exposed to constant wetting, drying and rewetting, rapid thermal cycling, increased humidity, deposition of salt crystals on the surface and structural loading.

The objective of this project is to process historical data provided by Mactaggart Scott as well as conduct laboratory testing to derive relationships between the mechanical degradation of composite material in the splash zone and the combined actions of moisture absorption, pressure cycling and temperature fluctuation.

Email - ross.young@ed.ac.uk

Start Date - October 2019

Institution - University of Edinburgh

Industrial links - I am embedded in industry at MacTaggart Scott which have been producing composite marine equipment for over 25 years. There, I am Senior Design Engineer and Technical Authority for all composite structures designed and manufactured.

Degree - MEng Mechanical Engineering, Heriot Watt University

Additional information - CEng MIMechE.