A large-scale deep-water wave and wind laboratory has begun construction in Dalian, Liaoning Province, northeastern China, CGTN reported on November 9. The project is jointly funded by Dalian University of Technology and China Three Gorges Corporation. The new facility will simulate turbulent marine environments under complex wave and wind conditions, providing high-precision experimental simulation technology to assess the impact of turbulent marine environments on engineering structures.
Design of the large-scale deep-water wave and wind laboratory in Dalian, Liaoning Province, northeastern China. (Photo: Dalian University of Technology).
According to Dalian University of Technology, this is the first large-scale deep-water wave and wind laboratory in the world. The project covers an area of 16,000 square meters with a floor space of 8,100 square meters, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
In marine environments, waves and wind significantly affect offshore engineering facilities and are crucial factors to consider when designing and operating these structures, according to Lyu Lin, Deputy Dean of the Infrastructure Engineering Department at Dalian University of Technology.
Architectural drawing of the large-scale deep-water wave and wind laboratory. (Photo: Dalian University of Technology)
The laboratory will provide high-quality research and development conditions and engineering services to meet critical needs in China, such as offshore renewable energy exploitation and large-scale cross-sea transportation infrastructure construction.
Developing deep-sea oil and gas resources is also one of the country’s important needs. In May, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced the completion of the floating installation of a 15,000-ton offshore drilling rig, which is the largest offshore drilling rig in China. With a length of 95 meters and a width of 40 meters, the surface area of the rig is equivalent to nine basketball courts.
