Numerical investigation of the behavior of thin flexible membranes in interaction with a fluid domain

With the increasing concern over massive damage ensuing from flood, the application of flood protection systems has aroused growing interest. As part of an interdisciplinary project regarding the development of a temporary installable textile protective system against flood, we study, how the thin flexible membrane behaves in interaction with a fluid domain numerically and experimentally. The numerical research was carried out by means of the FV solver available in Star CCM+ based on both morphing motion model and on the basis of overset mesh and morphing motion model, with the help of a FEM solver available in Abaqus and finally through FSI Star CCM+ and Abaqus Co-Simulation (interconnection between FV solver for fluid domain analysis and FEM solver for solid domain analysis). A key challenge facing us was the implementation of proper damping models to address the problem with oscillation of the membrane. We have examined, how the change in water level affects the behavior of the thin flexible membrane. A comparable physical validation with respect to experimental model has been achieved through numerical analysis. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)