Advancing Offshore Structural Integrity
Modern engineering structures like offshore wind turbines face harsh environments
that lead to catastrophic cracks and corrosion. To mitigate these risks, Dr. Erkan Öterkuş develops cutting-edge digital twin systems and structural health monitoring. By predicting failures before they happen, his work prevents financial loss and environmental
pollution while supporting sustainable energy.
Research Methodology
PERIDYNAMICS
(Prognosis)
A new continuum mechanics formulation designed to predict exactly how cracks initiate and propagate within complex structures.
iFEM
(Diagnosis)
The Inverse Finite Element Method processes discrete sensor data in real-time to establish a full-field digital twin of structures in operation.
AI/ML
Integration
Utilizing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to enhance the predictive capabilities of complex structural models.
Professional Honors & Leadership
Dr. Öterkuş brings extensive international and institutional leadership experience to Stony Brook University
NASA Collaboration
Served as a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the NASA Langley Research Center.
University of Strathclyde
Held the position of Professor and served as Director of the PeriDynamics Research Centre (PDRC) and the Ocean Energy Research Unit (OERU).
Editorial Leadership
Editor-in-Chief of Sustainable Marine Structures and Associate/Academic Editor for several journals, including Springer's Journal of Peridynamics and Nonlocal Modeling and the ASME Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology.
Global Recognition
Held visiting professorships at Stanford University (USA), University of Padova (Italy), Otto von Guericke University (Germany), and Nihon University (Japan)
Selected Publications
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Madenci, E. and Oterkus, E., Peridynamic Theory and Its Applications, Springer (2014).
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Oterkus, E., Oterkus S. and Madenci, E., Peridynamic Modeling, Numerical Techniques, and Applications, Elsevier (2021).
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Li, M., Kefal, A., Oterkus, E. and Oterkus, S., 2020, “Structural Health Monitoring of an Offshore Wind Turbine Tower Using iFEM Methodology,” Ocean Engineering, Vol. 204, 107291.
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Kefal, A., Oterkus, E., Tessler, A. and Spangler, J., 2016, “A Quadrilateral Inverse-shell Element with Drilling Degrees of Freedom for Shape Sensing and Structural Health Monitoring,” Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal, Vol. 19 (3), pp. 1299-1313.
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Oterkus, E. and Madenci, E., 2012, “Peridynamic Analysis of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials,” Journal of Mechanics of Materials and Structures, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 45-84.
Laboratory & Funding
SUNY Empire Innovation Program
Dr. Öterkuş's research is supported by the SUNY Empire Innovation Program, which aims to recruit world-class faculty to New York State to drive high-impact research in critical fields like offshore wind.
Research Scope
His laboratory focuses on the structural health of offshore renewable energy systems (wind, tidal, wave, and floating PV) as well as advanced manufacturing, robotic welding, and ice-structure interactions.