Numerical simulation of fluid-structure interaction of liquid cargo filled tank during ship collision using the ALE finite element method

Ships carrying liquid cargo are sometimes unavoidably struck by other vessels. Since the outflow of crude oil will have very serious consequences on the environment, it is necessary to accurately evaluate fluid-structure interaction of liquid cargo filled tank. The arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) finite element method solves the transient equations of motion of the fluid and structure using the explicit time integration method and is suitable to analyse highly dynamic, highly non-linear phenomena lasting for a short time. The ALE finite element method is validated by the hydrodynamic impact of drop box experiment. A numerical simulation procedure for a ship collision between a 72,000 tons container ship and a crude oil cargo tank of a 293,000 tons double hull VLCC taking account of the fluid-structure interaction is presented. The numerical simulation results reveal that the fluid-structure interaction of liquid cargo filled tank has a remarkable effect on the motion and structural response of the struck cargo tank.