
Fluid-structure interaction using a partitioned coupling between Euler-Bernoulli beams and incompressible viscous Newtonian fluids
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This paper assesses the ability of the open-source Computational Fluid Dynamics software TrioCFD to solve fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems. The software employs an Arbitrary Lagrange-Eulerian method to handle moving boundaries, allowing accurate representation of structural deformation within the fluid domain. The high computational resources required for FSI simulations can be a limitation for industrial applications. To address this, a one-dimensional Euler-Bernoulli beam model is proposed as a simplified modeling approach for slender structures. The beam model is integrated into TrioCFD, enabling internal fluid-structure coupling and reducing data exchange between separate software. The time coupling is based on a classic explicit serial algorithm. The model is validated first through test cases involving two coaxial flexible and circular cylinders separated by a viscous Newtonian fluid at rest. The results, including fluid forces, added mass and damping, and various types of boundary conditions of the cylinders, are analyzed and compared to reference data. Then, we challenge the coupling algorithm by adding an axial fluid flow and compare the numerical results with experimental data. The study highlights the potential of simplified modeling approaches for slender structures, such as the Euler-Bernoulli beam model, in reducing the computational resources required for FSI simulations, making them more accessible for industrial applications.