Development and Validation of Fluid-Solid Interaction Analysis for Crashworthiness Studies

Improved numerical analysis of fluid-solid interaction of rigid wedge water entry with multiple deadrise angles was conducted. This involved the coupling of fluid flow and structural mechanics, normally analyzed through separate numerical platforms. To capture the subtleties of water behavior in detail using finite elements, an advanced gradient meshing technique involving meshed and meshless Lagrangian elements was developed. The gradients varied particle spacing to maximize the resolution at the area of impact while reducing computation time. The properties of water, incorporating compressibility, were simulated and used in small and full scale analysis models. Results of multiple converging gradient schemes were compared to existing models, physical experiments, and analytical representations. The advanced gradient mesh schemes were able to capture the qualitative and quantitative essences of the event. Further experimental trials are needed to establish the predicting capabilities of the developed model when examining large scale fluid-solid interactive systems.