A SIMPLE-based monolithic implicit method for strong-coupled fluid–structure interaction problems with free surfaces

A SIMPLE-based implicit method (SBMIM) for the strong coupling of fluid and structure is proposed. The SBMIM solves the Navier–Stokes (NS) equations of fluid by using a modified SIMPLE algorithm, which takes into account the structure governing equation. The free surfaces are reconstructed using the volume of fluid method (VOF), and the structure equation, embedded into the fluid solver, is processed with the widely used finite element method (FEM). We validate SBMIM by performing numerical simulations of a dam-breaking issue, a tank sloshing problem, and the free oscillation of a wash bulkhead in a liquid tank, and making comparisons against experimental measurements, theoretical results as well as other numerical solutions. The SBMIM is proved to be stable and robust under extreme simulation circumstances, and is applied to the strong coupling of wave impact on deck structure.