Thomas Adcock

The research group looks at how engineers understand the ocean environment and how infrastructure interacts with this. We seek to understand ocean hydrodynamics for applications such as marine energy—primarily offshore wind. The group uses a combination of analytical, numerical (both machine learning and physics based) and experimental methods. We place a lot of emphasis on the analysis of field data from the ocean and into developing data analysis techniques. My research team work on a broad range of topics that include those below (see also the Research Group page for ongoing doctoral projects): #### Statistics and non-linear physics of extreme waves (rogue waves) In many areas around the world wind generated waves are the dominant environmental load. Around extreme wave events non-linear physics plays a significant role changing the shape and dynamics of extreme events. We work on trying to understand what happens when waves get large and ultimately how that modifies the statistics. Of particular interest at present is thinking about sea-states which are not in equilibrium and how this generates an excess of rogue waves. #### Wave structure interaction Waves will interact with structures in the ocean. These interactions are often very complex—but engineers need simple ways of modelling these. A major focus is on offshore wind turbines, where the non-linearity of the wave force is often neglected despite this occurring at the typical natural frequency of the structure. The group is also interested in the movement of debris (particularly plastics) across the ocean due to waves. A summary of some of our work in this area is given in [this poster](https://users.ox.ac.uk/~spet1235/WaveLoadingonMonopilesPosterforlab.pdf). #### Storm surges Storm surges are atmospheric disturbances to the sea level and can lead to flooding and damage to low lying coastal areas. Our work seeks to understand these better through physical modelling and analysis of field data. Work is mostly focussed on developing our RTide model which uses machine learning to enhance Munk and Cartwright's Response Method. A summary of this can be found in [this poster](https://users.ox.ac.uk/~spet1235/RTidePosterforlab.pdf). #### Resource assessment of tidal stream energy Tidal stream turbines extract energy from fast flowing tidal currents. Unlike other renewables it is inherently predictable although part of the group's effort is developing the tools to turn the theoretical predictability into reality. We also look at trying to understand the magnitude of the tidal resource which is perhaps the biggest open question in tidal energy. #### Fun stuff We also (particularly through final year undergraduate projects) do some more frivolous things such as looking at historical engineering projects (I have a particular interest in the [Mulberry Harbours](https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/science-blog/storm-struck-mulberry-harbours) used in the Second World War) and turning kayaks into "flyaks" (our prototype can be seen in action [here](https://t.co/VnFp9HQwT5?amp=1)).

#### 2026 F. He, T. Tian, S. Draper, T. Nishino, A. Angeloudis, C. Vogel and T.A.A. Adcock (2026) Non-uniform resistance in optimising extraction from a flow, accepted Journal of Fluid Mechanics. T. Hlophe, T.A.A. Adcock, H. Ding, J.Zang and P.H. Taylor (2026) Wave-Induced Overturning Moments,[Moment Arms, and Associated Forces on Monopile Foundations](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2026.105055), Coastal Engineering, 210(105055). J.P. Hardin, F. Zilic de Arcos, T.A.A. Adcock and E.C. Edwards (2026)[Comparison of Power and Thrust Performance for a Fixed and Floating Offshore Wind Turbine](http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/we.70124), Wind Energy 29(6) e70124. M.D. Patel, A.M.S. Smyth, A. Angeloudis and T.A.A. Adcock (2026)[The interplay and incremental development of tidal stream arrays in