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Validation of computational fluid-structure interaction models by comparison with collapsible tube experiments

The objective of this thesis was to assess the validity of the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) facilities in LS-DYNA for the analysis of highly deformable structures interacting with flowing viscous fluids. The collapsible tube experiment was chosen as a validation tool for FSI since its three-dimensional computational modelling would have been impossible if the viscous internal fluid flow were not considered. An explicit three-dimensional finite element model of a collapsible-tube was constructed and solved using LS-DYNA. The fully coupled model included internal fluid flow; external, inlet and outlet pressures; tube wall tension; pre-stressing; and contact. The finite element boundary conditions were taken as the recorded values of flow rate and pressure from a standard collapsible-tube experiment for both steady and unsteady flows. The predicted tube geometry in the steady LS-DYNA model showed good agreement with the experiment for operating points in the highly compliant region of the pressure-flow characteristic curve. The comparative position of the pinch at the outlet end differed by only 5.6% of the outlet diameter in the worst case. This analysis represents an advance on other published work in that previously no comparison with experiments have been drawn for FSI models involving high Reynolds number flowing viscous fluids interacting with highly deformable three dimensional structures. This analysis successfully made that comparison and the experimental and computational results have combined to form a more detailed picture of the collapsible-tube phenomenon by including detailed stress results of the tube walls and views of the internal fluid flow. The collapsible tube model exhibited uncertainty errors due to the use of a coarser than desirable mesh and a reduced fluid speed of sound. Although both these approximations caused significant error in the model both were necessary in order to achieve acceptable solution times. Because of these errors a thorough quantitative validation could not be achieved although LS-DYNA has been proven to be qualitatively accurate. Increases in computing speed are required before thorough quantitative validation of FSI can be achieved by comparison with the collapsible tube experiments.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:369891
Date January 2002
CreatorsScroggs, Richard A.
PublisherUniversity of Sheffield
Source SetsEthos UK
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Sourcehttp://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/14835/

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