Zarda, P. R. | Search NASA

NASA NTRS1977

Finite element solutions of free surface flows

A procedure is presented for using NASTRAN to determine the flow field about arbitrarily shaped bodies in the presence of a free surface. The fundamental unknown of the problem is the velocity potential which must satisfy Laplace's equation in the fluid region. Boundary conditions on the free surface may involve second order derivatives in space and time. In cases involving infinite domains either a tractable radiation condition is applied at a truncated boundary or a series expansion is used and matched to the local finite elements. Solutions are presented for harmonic, transient, and steady state problems and compared to either exact solutions or other numerical solutions.

Zarda, P. R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

A finite element-analytical method for modeling a structure in an infinite fluid

A method is described from which the interaction of an elastic structure with an infinite acoustic fluid is determined. The displacements of the structure and the pressure field of the immediate surrounding fluid are modeled by finite elements, and the remaining pressure field of the infinite fluid region is given by an analytical expression. This method yields a frequency dependent boundary condition for the outer fluid boundary when applied to the frequency response of an elastic beam in contact with an acoustic fluid. The frequency response of the beam is determined using NASTRAN, and compares favorably to the exact solution which is also presented. The effect of the fluid on the response of the structure at low and high frequencies is due to added mass and damping characteristics, respectively.

Zarda, P. R.↗