Numerical study on structural response of anti-sloshing baffles of different configurations in a sloshing tank considering hydroelasticity

With the enlargement of liquid containers, unexpected deformation and damage of the containers might happen. As a commonly used way to suppress intense sloshing, anti-sloshing baffles usually sustain liquid loads with a large wetted area. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the structural response of the anti-sloshing baffles taking hydroelasticity into account to guarantee the structural safety. This paper presents a numerical study on the structural response of horizontal and vertical baffles of different configurations in a sloshing tank considering hydroelasticity. Two validations on the effectiveness of the numerical methods and convergence tests are conducted. Influences of baffle height and length of the horizontal and vertical baffles on the structural response are examined through a series of simulations, from which amplitudes, frequencies of different vibration components and energy ratio of the wetted natural vibration caused by hydroelasticity are obtained and analyzed. Additionally, possible structural resonances of the horizontal and vertical baffles caused by the periodic sloshing motion and hydroelastic effects are shown, indicating the necessity of considering hydroelasticity. Meaningful conclusions are drawn on the characteristics of structural response, the effects of baffle configuration and the occurrence of structural resonance of the baffle from a structural safety point of view.