Investigation of submerged structures’ flexibility on sloshing frequency using a boundary element method and finite element analysis

In this study, the boundary element method–finite element method (BEM-FEM) model is employed to investigate the sloshing and flexibility terms of elastic submerged structures on the behavior of a coupled domain. The methods are finite element and boundary elements which are utilized for structural dynamic and sloshing modeling, respectively. The applied models are used to assess dynamic parameters of a fluid-structure system. Based on the proposed model, a code is developed which can be applied to an arbitrary two- and three- dimensional tank with an arbitrarily shaped elastic submerged structure. Results are validated based on the existing methods represented in the literature and it is concluded that the absolute relative deviation is lower than 2%. Finally, the interactive influences of submerged components which are more meaningful are investigated.