Non‐linear finite element analysis of large amplitude sloshing flow in two‐dimensional tank

Abstract This paper is concerned with the accurate and stable finite element analysis of large amplitude liquid sloshing in two‐dimensional tank under the forced excitation. The sloshing flow is formulated as an initial‐boundary‐value problem based upon the fully non‐linear potential flow theory. The flow velocity field is interpolated from the velocity potential with second‐order elements according to least square method, and the free surface conditions are tracked by making use of the direct time differentiation and the predictor–corrector method. Meanwhile, the liquid mesh is adapted such that the incompressibility condition is strictly satisfied. The accuracy and stability of the numerical method introduced are verified from the comparison with the existing reference solutions. As well, the numerical results are compared with those obtained by the linear theory with respect to the liquid fill height and the excitation amplitude. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.