Study on dynamic characteristics of coupled sloshing system with a movable baffle

Abstract

A fluid-structure coupling mechanical model of liquid sloshing in the tank with the movable baffle is presented in this paper. The movable baffle is linked to the side walls by springs and dampers and can only move along the width direction of the tank in the bottom. The model is established using Finite Element Method (FEM) and Finite Volume Method (FVM). To investigate the dynamic characteristics of the coupled system of fluid-baffle-tank, the numerical decay tests and sweep tests are conducted, the modal frequencies and shapes of different coupled system are also studied. The results reveal that spring stiffness plays a crucial role in the coupled system and the damper can enhance the anti-sloshing effect of the movable baffle in the tank. The added mass of the baffle is much greater than the baffle mass, and it is the main factor affecting the modal frequencies and dynamic response of the coupled system.