MechE Colloquium: On Vortex-Induced Vibrations and their Mitigation
Event details
| Date | 28.10.2025 |
| Hour | 12:00 › 13:00 |
| Speaker | Dr. Mohamed Farhat, Senior Scientist SGM, IGM, EPFL |
| Location | Online |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
| Event Language | English |
Abstract: Vortex-Induced Vibrations (VIV) arise from the unsteady fluid forces generated by periodic vortex shedding in the wake of a bluff body. When the vortex-shedding frequency approaches a structural natural frequency, resonance and lock-in may occur, leading to significant oscillations and even structural damage. Such flow–structure interactions are encountered in a wide range of applications, from offshore risers and tall buildings to airplane wings, hydraulic turbines, pumps, and marine propellers.
In our Laboratory, VIV has been investigated for a long time, with substantial progress achieved in understanding fluid–structure coupling mechanisms and developing effective mitigation strategies. Building on this legacy, our recent work has explored innovative flow-control concepts based on Gyroid-inspired trailing-edge geometries, which have demonstrated a remarkable ability to suppress the lock-in phenomenon in the case of an isolated hydrofoil in water stream. The combination of porosity and tortuosity inherent to the Gyroid structure appears to play a key role in preventing the formation of alternate vortices. The seminar will summarize key findings from this long-term research effort and highlight this recent advancement in VIV mitigation.
Biography: M. Farhat earned his Master's degree in Hydraulic Engineering from the INPG (France) and completed his PhD at EPFL (Switzerland). In 1995, he joined Hydro-Québec’s R&D department in Montréal, Canada, where he led numerous research projects related to hydro and nuclear power plants. Since 2001, he has been a Senior Scientist, Lecturer, and Head of the Cavitation Research Group at EPFL.
His research combines a fundamental approach with cutting-edge experimentation to address practical challenges across hydropower, marine propulsion, healthcare, and water management sectors. His main research interests include cavitation dynamics, flow-induced vibrations, hemodynamic, microgravity experiments and orbital sloshing, with a particular emphasis on understanding and controlling unsteady flow phenomena in complex fluid systems. M. Farhat has authored more than 130 papers in leading scientific journals and has delivered over 100 invited and keynote lectures at international conferences and in industrial settings. He has also served as an expert and consultant for numerous companies in the hydropower and energy sectors.
In our Laboratory, VIV has been investigated for a long time, with substantial progress achieved in understanding fluid–structure coupling mechanisms and developing effective mitigation strategies. Building on this legacy, our recent work has explored innovative flow-control concepts based on Gyroid-inspired trailing-edge geometries, which have demonstrated a remarkable ability to suppress the lock-in phenomenon in the case of an isolated hydrofoil in water stream. The combination of porosity and tortuosity inherent to the Gyroid structure appears to play a key role in preventing the formation of alternate vortices. The seminar will summarize key findings from this long-term research effort and highlight this recent advancement in VIV mitigation.
Biography: M. Farhat earned his Master's degree in Hydraulic Engineering from the INPG (France) and completed his PhD at EPFL (Switzerland). In 1995, he joined Hydro-Québec’s R&D department in Montréal, Canada, where he led numerous research projects related to hydro and nuclear power plants. Since 2001, he has been a Senior Scientist, Lecturer, and Head of the Cavitation Research Group at EPFL.
His research combines a fundamental approach with cutting-edge experimentation to address practical challenges across hydropower, marine propulsion, healthcare, and water management sectors. His main research interests include cavitation dynamics, flow-induced vibrations, hemodynamic, microgravity experiments and orbital sloshing, with a particular emphasis on understanding and controlling unsteady flow phenomena in complex fluid systems. M. Farhat has authored more than 130 papers in leading scientific journals and has delivered over 100 invited and keynote lectures at international conferences and in industrial settings. He has also served as an expert and consultant for numerous companies in the hydropower and energy sectors.
Practical information
- General public
- Free