The Fluid–Structure Interaction (FSI) group at NTNU advances the science and engineering of hydraulic turbines through integrated experimental and high‑fidelity numerical research. We focus on understanding and predicting dynamic loading, fatigue, cavitation, and fluid‑induced vibrations under flexible operating conditions.
The research group, dedicated to the field of hydropower, is driven by a mission "clean energy for all", and the activities are aimed to contribute United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4, 7, 9 and 13.
Core research areas
Advancing next-generation hydropower technology
Francis turbine
Flexible operation
Fatigue loading
Rotor-stator interaction
Start-stop
Pump-turbine
Energy storage
Pump mode operation
Cavitation
Booster pump and thruster
Hydrofoil
Boundary layer
Vortex induced vibrations
Hydrodynamic damping
Fluid-structure interaction
Education and students
Education and knowledge sharing are fundamental aspects of our research group, aligning with UN SDG 4: Quality Education. We incorporate real-time research cases into our courses, enabling students to engage with state-of-the-art knowledge in their respective fields. This approach not only enhances their learning experience but also supports their career development.
LHA Gans, 2024, Design study of a reversible lobe pump-turbine for low-head seawater pumped hydro storage applications,PhDthesis, NTNU, Norway.
OM Fjuk, 2026, Design of rim-driven thruster for reversible pump-turbine: Blade optimization using genetic algorithms, MSc thesis, NTNU, Norway.
GOS Ambjörnsson, 2025, Design of a thruster for a reversible pump-turbine: Two-dimensional optimization, MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
JH Bakkeng, 2025, Study performance characteristics of hydrodynamic tunnel, MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
KV Kerlefsen, 2025, Experimental study of a reversible pump-turbine at selected operating conditions, MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
M Eikebø, 2025, Numerical study of reversible pump-turbine at selected operating conditions,MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
AM Pedersen, 2025, Numerical study of Francis-99 turbine during start-stop: A case of no-load to deep part load,MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
MH Tjølsen, 2025, Numerical study of Francis-99 turbine during start-stop: A case of deep part load to the best efficiency point,MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
EG Dyb, 2024, Investigation of a hydrofoil for resonance condition, MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
F Albicini, 2024, Numerical characterization of the hydrodynamic damping in a circular hydrofoil cascade, MScthesis, NTNU, Norway and Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy.
RJ Stjern, 2023, Numerical study of particle settlement in a sand trap with multiple flow calming structures,MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
FJ Daving, 2022, Investigation of pressurized and free-surface type sand trap of hydroelectric power plant, MSc thesis, NTNU, Norway.
FC Eitzen, 2022, Investigation of a Francis turbine during start-stop,MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
R Jeyakaran, 2022, Fluid structure interaction in a blade cascade, MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
MD Johnsen, 2022, Study of laminar and turbulent flow in a square cross-section prepared for PIV measurements, MSc thesis, NTNU, Norway.
VV Olsvold, 2022, Investigation of air driven ejector for ballast pump, MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
MM Ivarson, 2021, Numerical study of flow calming structures in hydropower plants, MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
A Kamalaraja, 2021, Investigation of corner vortex in radial cascade and interaction with the trailing edge vortex, MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
RO Fosse, 2021, Investigation of suction capability of a centrifugal pump impeller, MScthesis, NTNU, Norway.
PL Bijukchhe and C Trivedi, 2026, Design of a Booster Pump for Reversible Pump-Turbine in Retrofitted Hydropower Plants,Energies, 19(8), 1865.
E Quaranta and C Trivedi, 2021, The state-of-art of design and research for Pelton turbine casing, weight estimation, counterpressure operation and scientific challenges,Helion, 7, 1 - 10.
MM Ivarson, C Trivedi and K Vereide, 2021, Investigations of rake and rib structures in sand traps to prevent sediment transport in hydropower plants, Energies, 14, 3882.
N Acharya, S Gautam, S Chitrakar, C Trivedi and OG Dahlhaug, 2021, Leakage vortex progression through a guide vane's clearance gap and the resulting pressure fluctuation in a Francis turbine, Energies, 14, 4244.
C Trivedi, 2021, Study of pressure pulsations in a Francis turbine designed for frequent start-stop,Journal of Energy Resources Technology, 143, 081302.
C Trivedi, 2020, Time-dependent inception of vortex rings in a Francis turbine during load variation: Large eddy simulation and experimental validation, Journal of Hydraulic Research, 58, 790 - 806.
DR Dahal and C Trivedi, 2025, Effect of runner blade numbers on inter blade vortices of Francis turbine under best efficiency loading,IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci., 1483, 012025.
G Gaiti, BW Solemslie, C Trivedi, K Sagmo, 2025, Modal analysis and characterization of a hydrofoil circular cascade test rig for hydrodynamic damping measurements,IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci., 1483, 012039.
G Gaiti, F Albicini, DH Dahal, C Trivedi, 2024, Analyzing the effect of hydrodynamic damping on the wake behavior in circular blade cascades: numerical study on a global mode,IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci., 1385, 012007.
LHA Gans, PT Storli, I Iliev and C Trivedi, 2023, An experimental and numerical study of a three-lobe pump for pumped hydro storage applications, J. Phys.: Conf. Ser., 2629, 012010.
J Bourgeois, C Trivedi and S Houde, 2022, Inception of columnar vortex array in a medium-head Francis turbine at speed-no-load, 21st International Seminar on Hydropower Plants, 09 - 11 November, Vienna, Austria.
PT Storli and C Trivedi, 2022, An Analytical quasi 2D steady-state Francis turbine model using first principles,IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci., 1079, 012006
Research projects
STORE2HYDRO
Store2hydro is Horizon Europe financed project aims to develop novel long-term electricity storage technologies for flexible hydropower. The project focuses on reversible pump-turbine type hydroelectric plants.
RENEWHYDRO
RenewHydro is a large research center in NTNU focusing on conducting research in the field of hydropower. Our group is focusing on design and development of the reversible pump-turbine for retrofitted hydroelectric plants.
BOUNDARY LAYER
Boundary layer is the research project focusing investigation of fluid-structure interaction and boundary layer during resonance. The focus is how hydrodynamic damping and boundary layer reacts to the resonance condition.
