Comparison study on analytic algorithms with finite element algorithm of large structure considering liquid–structure interaction

Abstract

Liquid–structure interaction problem exists widely in the important engineering field, such as cooling tank and reaction tank in nuclear power plants. At present, the effective seismic analysis and design method of this kind of structure are insufficient. In this paper, by using Housner method and velocity potential description method, the seismic response of large liquid storage structure considering liquid–structure interaction is measured, whose results are compared with those obtained by the finite element method in Zhang et al. in order to study the applicability of these two analytic algorithms. The analysis results show the natural periods and inner forces calculated by Housner method are closer to those calculated by finite element method than those by velocity potential description method. The results of analytic methods are smaller than those of finite element method, which means it should be careful to apply analytic methods in seismic response analysis of large liquid storage structures.