Defining Tank Acceleration

The effect of tank motion is modeled using the gravity vector. A table is already provided in the starting simulation that includes the time-dependent profile for the tank acceleration in the X direction.

The tank sloshing is driven by an unsteady horizontal component of the gravity vector. This horizontal acceleration is specified as field function that is extrapolated from a data table. Both the data table and field function are included in the base simulation.

To define the tank acceleration:

The X-acceleration field function is used to specify an unsteady horizontal component of the gravity vector that drives the tank sloshing. The field function interpolates the profile provided by the X-acceleration table stored in the original simulation file.

  1. Display a plot of the X-acceleration field function:
    1. Select the Automation > Field Functions > X-acceleration node.
    2. In the Properties window, click (Property Customizer) next to Definition.
    3. In the X-acceleration - Definition dialog, select the Preview tab.
    4. Ensure that Dependent Variable is set to $(Time), and then set Range to [0.0, 0.7] s.

      The X-acceleration field function is plotted in the display area:



    5. Click OK to close the X-acceleration - Definition dialog.
  2. Select the Physics 1 > Reference Values > Gravity node and set Value to [${X-acceleration}, 0.0,-9.81] m/s^2.
  3. Save the simulation.