Fluid-structure interaction analysis of valve in pipes

To explore the rules and mechanism of valve movements under the flow pressure in pipes, fluid-structure interaction of valve and fluid in pipes was theoretically analyzed and simulated. By deducing two-dimensional arbitrary Lagrange-Euler (ALE) control equations for incompressible fluids, a modified ALE algorithm was obtained. After gravity effects were considered during the simulation, the closedown of the valve was simulated by adopting Gap conditions. A special meshing method was presented by preserving small aspect ratios of majority of fluid meshes during the valve closing process. Simulation results show that slight back swing occurs at the beginning of the valve closing process in pipes, and the wiggles exist throughout the closing process with the valve structure itself being a pendulum. Large initial open angle of the valve causes closedown difficulty under the effects of gravity.