Dynamic Analysis and Measurement of Sloshing of Fluid in Containers

Abstract

Fluid sloshing problems in circular containers are studied by both theoretical and experimental methods. A circular cylindrical container, with various levels of fluid, attached to a low frequency suspension is analyzed by means of the method of asymptotic expansion. Experimental studies, in the form of resonance and transient vibration tests have been conducted on a test rig. A theoretical analysis is applied to a mathematical model of the test rig. The equations of motion are simulated by a digital simulation method, for both linear and nonlinear conditions. Results show parametric resonance effects of the fluid wave height and horizontal fluid force waveforms. During transient motion the fluid damping and frequency characteristics are nonlinear. The additional dynamic force on the container walls, due to sloshing of fluid, is approximately 45 percent of the applied horizontal excitation force on the system.