MPS-FEM Coupled Method for Fluid-Structure Interaction in 3D Dam-Break Flows

In the present study, the moving particle semi-implicit (MPS) method and finite element method (FEM) coupled method is developed for the 3D fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems. Herein, the MPS method is employed for the simulation of fluid domain while the FEM approach is used for the analysis of structural domain. For the implementation of the coupled approach, we proposed a mapping algorithm to transfer quantity values between the particles of flow field and the elements of structural field. In this mapping algorithm, the nonmatching refinement levels of both domains are permitted, which implies that the much larger size of element can be used in the FSI simulation and the computational efficiency can be improved. With the benefit of the proposed MPS-FEM coupled method, the 3D FSI problem of dam-break flow impacting onto the flexible wall is numerically investigated. The evolutions of free surface and the impacting loads on the wall are compared against those regarding rigid tank. In addition, the deformation and the strength behaviors of the flexible wall are exhibited.