Fluid-structure interaction in civil engineering

Abstract

This chapter discusses a numerical simulation procedure for fluid-–structure interaction problems occurring in civil engineering. The structural simulation performed by the finite element method is coupled with a finite volume flow solver via a partitioned solution approach. Two large groups of constructions in civil engineering are strongly affected by the fluid–structure interaction phenomena. The first group is of lightweight constructions without or with low bending stiffness, for example membranes. For this, dimensionally reduced h-elements can be efficiently used. The second group is of slender or thin-walled constructions, like bridges, chimneys, and slender shells. The approach used in the chapter is to create a fully three-dimensional structural model, using few hexahedral p-elements that are not sensitive to high aspect ratios. The data transfer among the simulation codes used for the structural simulation on one side and the fluid simulation on the other side is supported by a coupling interface. The flow prediction is based on a finite volume approach closed by either a standard k-є (Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes) or a subgrid scale model (large-eddy simulation).