Investigations of transient sloshing induced impulsive hydrodynamics

Abstract

Sloshing-induced impulsive pressures may be extremely high and of short rise time duration. A compressible Volume of Fluid (VoF) method was adopted to study these pressures in a partially filled three-dimensional tank with various oblique tank ceiling angles. Comparative available experimental model test measurements of free surface profiles and velocity and pressure time histories validated this numerical method. To obtain a sufficiently fine grid to yield converging predictions, grid sensitivity studies were performed. The influence of the oblique tank ceiling angle on sloshing-induced impulsive pressures was examined. Results demonstrated that the VoF method obtained accurate predictions of sloshing phenomena. The oblique tank ceiling angle dampened impulsive pressure and, therefore, this angle had to be accounted for in the design of the tank.