Computational modeling of coupled fluid-structure systems with applications

This paper outlines the development of a computational model in order to analyze the dynamic behaviour of coupled fluid-structure systems such as a) liquid containers, b) a set of parallel or radial plates. In this work a hybrid fluid-solid element is developed, capable of simulating both membrane and bending effects of the plate. The structural mass and stiffness matrices are determined using exact integration of governing equations which are derived using a combination of classical plate theory and a finite element approach. The Bernoulli equation and velocity potential function are used to describe the liquid pressure applied on the solid-fluid element. An impermeability condition assures a permanent contact at the fluid-structure interface. Applications of this model are presented for both parallel and radial plates as well as fluid-filled rectangular reservoir. The effect of physical parameters on the dynamic behaviour of a coupled fluid-structure system is investigated. The results obtained using the presented approach for dynamic characteristics such as natural frequency are in agreement to those calculated using other theories and experiments.