Fluid-structure interaction with leaks

Topological changes of the grid in a flow simulation based on mesh-based finite volumes are a major challenge. One of the classic applications in engineering practice is the opening and closing of valves, such as flutter valves or inlet/exhaust valves in piston engines.

The state change of a valve from still currently open to the fully closed state is a singularity. Not only a topology change in the mesh is a result, but also the sudden stop of the flow rate through the valve.

With the meshless method SPH these restrictions are eliminated, as the shown example illustrates.

A liquid is pressed into a tubular impermeable membrane made from hyper-elastic material. At the lower end of the tube a rigid lid is fixed in space. The tube is in this case not firmly attached to the lid.

While the tube gets filled, it initially increases its radius. The constant volume of the rubbery material having a transverse-contraction-number of nearly 0.5, cause a shortening of the hose. As a result, at the lower end a gap opens and the fluid may eventually flow out.

This is a co-simulation between SimPARTIX^® and Abaqus/Explicit.