Sloshing Phenomenon in Rectangular and Cylindrical Tanks Filled with Porous Media: Supplementary Solution and Impulsive-Excitation Experiment

Abstract

The sloshing phenomenon in an impervious rectangular and cylindrical tank filled with a porous medium is investigated in this article. Based on linear wave theory and Darcy’s law, the supplementary solutions of transient and steady-state motions can be solved. An equivalent mechanical system that accounts for the sloshing damping due to the porous medium is then established from a structural dynamics point of view. The model has the same kinetic energy, sloshing force, and overturning moment during excitation as actual flow. Therefore, dynamic equivalence can be guaranteed. The dynamic characteristics and modal responses of the liquid in the rectangular and cylindrical tanks are investigated. The analytical method is verified by an impulsive-excitation experiment. In this experiment, a linear wave response is observed, and the sloshing frequency and damping ratio are confirmed. The analytical method can predict the main characteristics of this flow regime very well.