Sloshing Flows in Ship Tanks

In the present paper, the sloshing flow in the liquid holds of a large tanker is simulated using a numerical method. In the fluid domain, the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equation with free surface is solved using a finite difference method, and the realistic shapes of multi holds are modeled including the internal members. The time-history of the tank motion is obtained using a time-domain program for ship motion. In order to computer the impulsive pressures on internal structures, a concept of buffer zone is adopted near the tank ceiling during impact occurrence. This study demonstrates that the global fluid motion in the multi liquid holds of ships and FPSO's can be simulated using the numerical method and the corresponding local pressure can be predicted with reasonable accuracy.