Advances in the particle finite element method for the analysis of fluid–multibody interaction and bed erosion in free surface flows

We present some advances in the formulation of the particle finite element method (PFEM) for solving complex fluid–structure interaction problems with free surface waves. In particular, we present extensions of the PFEM for the analysis of the interaction between a collection of bodies in water allowing for frictional contact conditions at the fluid–solid and solid–solid interfaces via mesh generation. An algorithm to treat bed erosion in free surface flows is also presented. Examples of application of the PFEM to solve a number of fluid–multibody interaction problems involving splashing of waves, large motions of floating and submerged bodies and bed erosion situations are given.