Mesh-moving arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian three-dimensional technique applied to sloshing problems

Abstract

Validation of three-dimensional (3D) sloshing models is a relevant task in order to guarantee the correctness of numerical predictions. In this work, attention is focused on assessing the 3D free surface (FS) evolution when an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method is applied to solve sloshing problems. The computational scheme consists of three stages: (i) solve the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations over a single fluid domain with a FS; (ii) determine the FS displacements from the velocity field computed at (i); and (iii) update the mesh with a computational mesh dynamic problem. The study aims to evaluate the global mass-conservation strategy reported in this work for long term simulations. The forced sloshing cases present moderate FS displacements with complex wave pattern behaviours. Specifically, sloshing in a tank with a stepped shape in the bottom and two sloshing cases of a rectangular tank are presented. The numerical results are compared with experimental data to evaluate the performance of the proposed model.