In this work the practical applicability of a 2D URANS approach adopting a block structured mesh and Menter's SST k-ω turbulence model in fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems is studied using as a test case a ratio B/H = 4 rectangular cylinder. The vortex-induced vibration (VIV) and torsional flutter phenomena are analyzed based on the computation of the out-of-phase and in-phase components of the forced frequency component of lift and moment coefficients when the section is forced to periodically oscillate both in heave and pitch degrees of freedom. Also the flutter derivatives are evaluated numerically from the same forced oscillation simulations. A good general agreement has been found with both experimental and numerical data reported in the literature. This highlights the benefits of this relatively simple and straightforward approach. These methods, once their feasibility has been checked, are ready to use in parametric design of bridge deck sections and, at a later stage, in the shape optimization of deck girders considering aeroelastic constraints.

Biofouling, the accumulation of marine organisms on submerged surfaces, presents a significant challenge to the design, performance, and maintenance of offshore wind turbines (OWTs). This work synthesizes current knowledge on the physical and operational impacts of biofouling on OWT marine substructures, with a particular focus on how it alters hydrodynamic loading, increases drag and mass, and affects fatigue and structural response. Drawing from experimental studies, computational modeling, and real-world observations, this paper highlights the critical need to integrate biofouling effects into design practices. Additionally, emerging mitigation strategies are explored, including advanced antifouling materials and AI-driven monitoring systems, which offer promising solutions for long-term biofouling management. By addressing both engineering and ecological perspectives, this paper underscores the importance of developing robust, adaptive approaches to biofouling that can support the durability, reliability, and environmental sustainability of the offshore wind industry.

Summary: Shape optimization is an effective tool to improve the aerodynamic performance of tall buildings by introducing minor modifications to the original project. Nevertheless, economic criteria demand efficient cross sections aiming at maximizing the building's profitability. These two contradictory criteria are commonly handled by adopting multi‐objective optimization approaches seeking the definition of Pareto fronts. However, the aerodynamic nonlinear features of low‐aspect‐ratio cross sections typically adopted in architectural practice can cause wind‐induced acceleration response surfaces over the considered design domain with multiple local minima that eventually lead to discontinuous Pareto fronts with non‐convex regions. This study delves into this problem and proposes a design framework that effectively combines the reduced basis method with multi‐objective optimization techniques to carry out the aerodynamic shape optimization using surrogates trained with CFD simulations. The ability of the optimization strategy to properly define the non‐convex regions of discontinuous Pareto fronts is successfully leveraged by adopting the weighted min–max method.