An edge‐based smoothed finite element framework for partitioned simulation of vortex‐induced vibration problems

Abstract

AbstractThis article proposes an edge‐based smoothed finite element method (ESFEM) for predicting vortex‐induced vibration (VIV) of multiple rigid and elastic structures. The ESFEM is applied to discretize the Navier–Stokes and elastodynamic equations with three‐node triangular (T3) element. The fluid excitation is also evaluated in the edge‐based notion. New integration points are arranged in local smoothing domains to ease the resultant approximation. Dynamic grids are moved by an efficient two‐level mesh scheme. The fluid‐structure mechanical system is formulated under the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian description which enables tight coupling of interacting fields in a partitioned way. Especially, the geometric conservation law is respected for the ESFEM through a mass source term constructed in the T3 element context. The developed technique is validated against previously published data for three low‐Reynolds‐number VIV problems. Flow features and structural responses have been correctly identified therein as a result of the numerical prediction.