A Stable Fluid-Structure-Interaction Algorithm: Application to Industrial Problems

Fluid-structure interactions occur in a wide range of industrial applications, including vibration of pipe-work, flow meters, and positive displacement systems as well as many flow control devices. This paper outlines computational methods for calculating the dynamic interaction between moving parts and the flow in a flow-meter system. Coupling of phenomena is allowed without need for access to the source codes and is thus suitable for use with commercially available codes. Two methods are presented: one with an explicit integration of the equations of motion of the mechanism and the other, with implicit integration. Both methods rely on a Navier-Stokes equation solver for the fluid flow. The more computationally expensive, implicit method is recommended for mathematically stiff mechanisms such as piston movement. Industrial-application examples shown are for positive displacement machines, axial turbines, and steam-generator tube-bundle vibrations. The advances in mesh technology, including deforming meshes with nonconformal sliding interfaces, open up this new field of application of computational fluid dynamics and mechanical analysis in flow meter design.