Plate Oscillation Two-way FSI CFD Simulation, ANSYS Fluent Training

Plate oscillation two-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI) CFD simulation is an advanced computational approach used in current engineering design and analysis. This advanced technology enables engineers to effectively describe and anticipate the intricate interaction between fluid dynamics and structural mechanics, especially in scenarios involving oscillating plates or structures. Civil engineers use it to ensure that bridges and towering buildings withstand wind-induced vibrations. The significance of this simulation technique stems from its capacity to provide precise insights into how structures respond to fluid forces, allowing engineers to anticipate future problems and optimize designs for both safety and efficiency. Engineers can use two-way FSI simulations to design more resilient and efficient structures, reduce material costs, improve durability, and ultimately improve safety in applications where structural failure could have disastrous implications.

Simulation Process

Simulating Two-way Fluid-solid interaction (FSI) needs coupling of ANSYS Structural & ANSYS Fluent in ANSYS Workbench workspace. This connection is established by System coupling module which provides transferring data from one to another constantly. The vertical plate is made out of steel. Its properties is initially defined. Further, the oscillation nature makes us adopt unsteady (transient) solver. It facilitates us to extract an animation. 10 seconds of oscillation is studied. The main objective is to investigate plate deformation and equivalent von-misses stress.

Post-processing

The equivalent (von-Mises) stress distribution reaches a maximum of 0.020873 MPa at the plate’s base and decreases towards the tip, which is consistent with cantilever beam behavior during oscillatory motion. This stress pattern, together with the total deformation contour, which shows a maximum displacement of 0.17459 m at the free end, demonstrates the plate’s elastic response to fluid-induced forces. The periodic nature of the deformation, with a cycle time of about 2.5 seconds, validates the oscillatory behavior and shows the plate’s structural integrity throughout its motion.

Figure 1: Total deformation of oscillating plate over time

Figure 2: Von-misses stress along the vertical length of the plate

The pressure contour captures the fluid dynamics element of the simulation, ranging from -4.341 Pa to 0.134 Pa around the oscillating plate. The clear pressure differential across the plate, with high pressure on one side and low pressure on the other, reveals the mechanism that drives the plate’s motion. This pressure distribution, which changes dynamically as the plate moves, shows the two-way interaction between the fluid and structural domains. The simulation accurately depicts how the plate’s motion effects the surrounding fluid pressure field, which in turn affects structural deformation, providing vital insights into the intricate interaction between flexible structures and fluid environments.

Figure 3: Pressure on both sides of the plate