Repeatability and Two-Dimensionality of Model Scale Sloshing Impacts

Canonical test cases for sloshing wave impact problems are presented and discussed. In these cases the experimental setup has been simplified seeking the highest feasible repeatability; a rectangular tank subjected to harmonic roll motion has been the tested configuration. Both lateral and roof impacts have been studied, since both cases are relevant in sloshing assessment and show specific dynamics. An analysis of the impact pressure of the first four impact events is provided in all cases. It has been found that not in all cases a Gaussian fitting of each individual peak is feasible. The tests have been conducted with both water and oil in order to obtain high and moderate Reynolds number data; the latter may be useful as simpler test cases to assess the capabilities of CFD codes in simulating sloshing impacts. The repeatability of impact pressure values increases dramatically when using oil. In addition, a study of the two-dimensionality of the problem using a tank configuration that can be adjusted to 4 different thicknesses has been carried out. Though the kinematics of the free surface does not change significantly in some of the cases, the impact pressure values of the first impact events changes substantially from the small to the large aspect ratios thus meaning that attention has to be paid to this issue when reference data is used for validation of 2D and 3D CFD codes.