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Experimental and numerical studies of seismic fluid-structure interaction in a base-supported cylindrical vessel

Journal Article · · Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/eqe.3402· OSTI ID:1778020
 [1];  [2];  [2]
  1. Univ. at Buffalo, NY (United States); University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
  2. Univ. at Buffalo, NY (United States)
Seismic design and qualification of advanced reactors will rely heavily on the use of verified and validated numerical models capable of capturing the interaction of the vessel, its contained fluid, and the internal equipment: fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis. Analytical solutions can be used for preliminary sizing and design of such vessels but their application is limited to simple geometries and boundary conditions, and small amplitude, translational (and rotational) inputs. To validate numerical models for seismic FSI analysis in finite element codes, a comprehensive set of experiments was performed on a liquid-filled cylindrical vessel, using a 6 degree-of-freedom earthquake simulator. Results in terms of sloshing frequency, damping ratio in sloshing modes, and hydrodynamic responses (wave height, hydrodynamic pressure, base shear, and base moment) for multi-directional earthquake simulator inputs are reported and compared with analytical solutions for liquid-filled vessels. The impact of seismic (base) isolation on hydrodynamic responses was studied using earthquake simulator inputs generated using a virtual isolation system. Data from the experiments are used to validate a numerical model of the fluid-filled vessel using the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) solver in the commercial finite element program LS-DYNA. Validation studies are presented for multi-directional seismic inputs, including rocking motions. Lagrangian modeling approaches using an elastic material formulation for the fluid are also investigated and their limitations and possible applications are identified. Here, the results are broadly applicable to the seismic response of base supported, liquid-filled vessels.
Research Organization:
Univ. at Buffalo, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
Grant/Contract Number:
AR0000978
OSTI ID:
1778020
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1786487
Journal Information:
Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, Journal Name: Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 50; ISSN 0098-8847
Publisher:
WileyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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