Numerical simulation of sloshing flows with impact load

In the present paper, the sloshing flows in the two- and three-dimensional Liquid containers are simulated based on a finite difference method. The Navier-Stokes equation with free boundary is solved using the SOLA scheme, and the free surface profile is assumed to be a single-valued function. The global fluid motion is of interest and some local nonlinear phenomena are not considered. The computation has been carried out for three tanks with and without internal members. A concept of buffer zone is adopted near the tank ceiling, where a mixed boundary condition of rigid wall and free surface is imposed before an impact. In order to mitigate a series of discrete impacts, the computed signal is averaged over several time steps. The computational results are compared with experimental data and other computational results for the validation of the numerical scheme and computer program. The results showed a favorable agreement of impact pressure as well as the global fluid motion. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.