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.