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Staff Profile

Dr Simon Benson

Lecturer in Naval Architecture

  • Telephone: +44 (0)191 208 5863
  • Address: School of Engineering
    Armstrong Building
    Newcastle University
    NE1 7RU
    UK
Background

Dr Simon Benson is a chartered Naval Architect with a specialism in marine structures

My research is focused on improving the real world performance of ships, offshore structures, marine renewables and subsea robotics - linking what really happens at sea to what can be simulated by experimentation or numerical analysis. I hope my work will contribute to a safe, green and clean maritime future. 

My research methods involve experimentation in the Marine Propulsion Research Lab together with numerical analysis expertise. I have a specific focus on developing robust and simplified algorithms for structural and hydrodynamic performance measurement.

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Research

My research interests are in three themes:

  • Large scale failures of marine structures
  • Novel propulsion and energy saving devices for marine vehicles
  • Low-tech maritime safety


Current Projects

GATERS - GATE Rudder System as a Retrofit for the Next Generation Propulsion and Steering of Ships

Safety of Artisanal Fishing Boats

Cyclic Progressive Collapse of Ship Structures

Drag Penalty of Fouled Ships

Intelligent Technologies for Underwater Robots (ITUR)

Commercial R&D


Completed Projects

Polymer Failures on Superyacht Structures (Innovate UK KTP Partnership with Safinah)

Prof Bob Dow, Dr Simon Benson, Maria Prodromou

The project aims to investigate the performance of epoxy based fillers which form the smooth outer layers of luxury yachts. The project is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Safinah, a marine coatings specialist consultancy. We are using finite element methods and will validate with material and structural tests. The project supported a KTP associate, Maria Prodromou. Principal Investigator is Prof. Bob Dow.

Launch and Recovery of Subsea Vehicles (Innovate UK KTP Partnership with SMD)

Dr Simon Benson, Dr Musa Bashir, Dr Alan Murphy

We are investigating the fluid-structure interaction during the launch and recovery of a subsea vehicle (ROV). The project is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Soil Machine Dynamics, one of the world's leading manufacturers of remote intervention equipment. We are specifically interested in the behaviour of the ROV as it passes through the free surface in different wave conditions. The project aims to develop an improved method for estimating the motion of the ROV and the subsequent loads on the launch and recovery system (LARS). The research involves numerical modelling and scaled experiments in the hydrodynamic laboratories at Newcastle University. The project supported a KTP associate, Dr Musa Bashir.  

Structural Performance of Damaged Naval Vessel (funded by Office of Naval Research)

Prof Bob Dow, Dr Simon Benson, Dr Maria Syrigou, Dr May Leelachai

We are investigating ways to extend and improve the simplified progressive collapse method for the treatment of different load combinations (such as shear and torsion) and severe damage. The project is funded by the Office of Naval Research and  follows directly from a previous programme. The project supported two PhD students (Maria Syrigou and May Leelachai)

Structural Design Guidelines for Search and Rescue Craft (funded by the RNLI)

Prof Richard Birmingham, Dr Simon Benson, Prof Bob Dow, Dr Federico Prini

This project is supported by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The research addresses the structural design of all-weather search and rescue craft. The main aim is to provide the RNLI with new practical and theoretical expertise to improve the design, operation and maintenance practice of its all-weather lifeboats. The current status of the RNLI’s all-weather search and rescue fleet will be evaluated in terms of design, actual hull loads experienced and consequent structural response. A computational model for the prediction of the hull loads that the craft is likely to experience in its lifetime will be developed. The response of the structure to the calculated loads will be analysed by means of a numerical model based on finite element method. The validity and predictive accuracy of the numerical model will be assessed through extensive comparison with model-scale and full-scale tests.


Teaching

I contribute to the following modules

  • SFY0009 - Foundation Year Project
  • ENG1007 - Mechanics
  • MAR2020 - Engineering Applications (ML)
  • MAR2021 - Marine Structures (ML)
  • MAR3033/4/5/6 - Design Modules
  • MAR3036 - Small Craft Design
  • MAR3039 - Further Marine Structures 
  • MAR8072 - Fundamentals of Naval Architecture
  • MAR8073 - Advanced Marine Structures (ML)
  • MAR8122 - MTEC Introduction to Naval Architecture (ML)
  • MAR8110 - MTEC Advanced Marine Structures (ML)
  • MAR8498 - MEng Team Project


Publications