Fluid-Structure Interaction: Vibrating Pipe

This tutorial demonstrates how to set up fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

In this simulation, you study the dynamic vibration of a titanium pipe conveying water. As the mass of the pipe is small compared to the mass of the fluid, the physics of the fluid and the structure is coupled. In the first part of the simulation, you apply a body load to the pipe and run a static/steady analysis to seek the static equilibrium solution, obtaining an initial displacement for the pipe. In the second part of the simulation, you remove the body load and run a dynamic analysis, allowing the pipe to vibrate in real time.

The simulation strategy, including the model geometry and assumptions, is summarized below.

Solid Domain Fluid Domain
Geometry Inner diameter: 0.02 m Diameter: 0.02 m
Outer diameter: 0.021 m Length: 1.20 m
Length: 0.40 m

Pipe-contact: only the middle section of the fluid domain is in contact with the pipe

Symmetry: The problem is symmetric about the yz plane, allowing you to model 1/2 of the geometry. Symmetry: The problem is symmetric about the yz plane, allowing you to model 1/2 of the geometry.
Assumptions and Models
  • Material: Ti
  • Constitutive Law: Linear elastic
  • Loading Method: Static loading
  • Material: H 2 O
  • Equation of State: Compressible liquid with ρ ( p , c s ) = ρ 0 + p / c s 2
  • Flow Regime: Laminar
  • 2-way FSI: The internal fluid flow influences the vibration modes of the pipe. The vibration of the pipe affects the fluid flow.
Boundary Conditions
  • pipe extremities: constrained in all degrees of freedom
  • outer surfaces: stress-free
  • velocity inlet
  • pressure outlet
Type of Analysis Quasi-static (first run) + Dynamic (second run) Steady (first run) + Transient (second run)
Discretization and Solution Method Finite Element (FE) Finite Volume (FV)
Mesh Hex8 Elements Hexahedral Cells