ALE-based monolithic finite element strategies for fluid structure interaction problems

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PhD; 2023; Mechanical engineering

Fluid-structure interactions (FSI) represent a class of engineering problems which involve a two-way coupling between the solid motion and the fluid flow. The deformation of the solid caused by the fluid forces at the boundary of the solid generates the boundary condition for the fluid flow. Such interactions are widespread in engineering and also in nature. The fluttering of aircraft wings and compressor blades, flapping of the wings of birds and insects, floating of ships, sound produced by musical instruments like drums and trumpets, inflation of automobile airbags, dynamics of spacecraft parachutes, flowing of blood through the arteries and veins pumped by the human heart are all examples of FSI problems. The non-linearity in the equations of fluid mechanics and large deformation structural mechanics along with the requirement to satisfy the interface conditions between solid and fluid makes it almost impossible for this class of problems to be dealt with analytically. However, with the emergence of computers, there have been significant advances in this class of problems numerically. In this thesis we present new monolithic finite element strategies for solving various classes of fluid-structure interaction problems. The term `monolithic' means that the governing equations of the solid and fluid along with the interface and boundary conditions are solved simultaneously.