Longitudinal sloshing effects in half full horizontal cylindrical vessels

Abstract

A semi-analytical mathematical model is developed for sloshing effects in half-full horizontal cylindrical viscous liquid vessels, under arbitrary longitudinal external excitation. The velocity potential is expressed in a series form, where each term is the product of a time function and the associated spatial function. In this configuration, the problem is not separable and the associated spatial functions are non-orthogonal. Application of the boundary conditions results in a system of ordinary linear differential equations, which are solved numerically. The motion of a real liquid gives rise to energy dissipation, which is modeled through an appropriate modification of the dynamic free-surface condition. Hydrodynamic forces on the container are calculated for harmonic excitation and for a real seismic event. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.