Munaweera Thanthirige Tenis Ranjan
PhD Student
Postgraduate Student
University of Galway Energy Transition, Blue Economy Materials & Structures

OVERVIEW 

Munaweera Thanthirige Tenis Ranjan is a PhD student in Civil Engineering at the University of Galway. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree and a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. With a strong background in composite manufacturing and structural testing of tidal and wind turbine blades, Tenis has gained valuable experience in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for structures, which allows him to analyze and simulate the behavior of various engineering components and systems. This expertise enables him to assess the structural integrity and performance of composite materials used in the manufacturing of tidal and wind turbine blades.

Prior to his doctoral studies, Tenis served as a lecturer for seven years at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna in Sri Lanka. During his time there, he mainly taught modules on thermodynamics and fluid dynamics, providing instruction and guidance to students pursuing engineering degrees. Overall, Tenis possesses a diverse range of skills and experiences in the fields of mechanical and civil engineering, particularly in composite manufacturing, structural testing, and FEA analysis. His background as a lecturer also highlights his aptitude for teaching and knowledge dissemination.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

As a current PhD student in Civil Engineering at the University of Galway, Tenis is actively involved in several research activities related to tidal and wind turbine blades. His primary focus is on conducting structural testing of these blades to assess their performance and durability. Additionally, Tenis is engaged in numerical simulations specifically aimed at tidal turbine blades. By using computational techniques, he can analyze and model the behaviour of these blades under various operating conditions, allowing for a better understanding of their structural response. In this context, the primary objective of Tenis’s research is the development of fatigue life and residual strength predicting models for tidal turbine blades throughout their lifespan. This model aims to estimate the deterioration and remaining strength of the blades over time, taking into account the harsh and dynamic marine environment they operate in. Overall, Tenis’s current activities involve a combination of experimental testing, numerical simulations, and modeling techniques to enhance the understanding of tidal and wind turbine blades’ structural performance, durability, and lifespan.

BACKGROUND

Tenis is a PhD student in Civil Engineering at the University of Galway. He possesses a strong educational background, having completed a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. Building upon his undergraduate studies, he further pursued a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree in the same field. With this foundation in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Tenis brings a diverse skill set to his current research in Civil Engineering. His interdisciplinary background enables him to apply principles from mechanical engineering to civil engineering problems and projects. This unique combination of knowledge allows him to approach his PhD research with a well-rounded perspective.