Marine and Arctic Technology

The research of our group focuses on the behavior of ships and structures in normal and extreme environments. We do our research by considering the safety of maritime transportation, as well as the experiences the marine environment can offer to cruise vessel passengers.

Marine technology investigates the responses and strength of ships in a complex physical environment where ice- and wave-induced loads are present. We also investigate the system-level issues at the scales of shipping systems and fleets as well as individual ships and their subsystems. The focus is on passenger and ice-going ships and on autonomous ships.

The core ideas of the research are to ensure safety, to enable sustainability through advanced solutions and to focus on the first principles of applied mechanics (e.g. hydrodynamics and structures), statistical methods and systems engineering.

Arctic marine technology studies the behaviour of ships and structures in ice. Arctic marine research focuses on ice loads on ships and structures, on ship performance and on ship safety. The group studies these topics by conducting extensive full-scale trials onboard ice-going ships, by utilising the Aalto Ice Tank and by developing theoretical models for e.g. ice load stochasticity and ultimate strength of structures.

The group has excellent international and national networks, including the Joint Research Center of Excellence for Arctic Shipping and Operations (CEARCTIC) funded by Lloyd's Register Foundation in London and led by Aalto University.

Ice mechanics research focuses on gaining detailed and fundamental knowledge on the physical phenomena behind the behaviour of sea ice and ice loads. Only by building our understanding of sea ice behaviour can we improve predictions on ice-induced loads on ships and structures.

We have a strong background in numerical ice mechanics and use simulations of complex ice loading scenarios in our work. Related to this, we develop tools for discrete element and combined finite-discrete element method simulations. We also conduct well-controlled model-scale experiments in Aalto Ice Tank, a unique testing facility, as well as field work.

Research topics: Arctic marine technology and ice mechanics, advanced materials and structures, marine hydrodynamics, risk and safety

Personnel: Professor Jukka Tuhkuri, Professor Pentti Kujala, Professor Heikki Remes, Professor Jani Romanoff, Professor Arttu Polojärvi