Analysis of fluid-structure interaction problems with structural buckling and large domain changes by ALE finite element method

Abstract

A 3D finite element analysis program is newly developed for fluid-structute interaction problems with structural buckling and large domain changes. An ALE finite element method with automatic mesh updating is formulated for large domain changes. In order to cope with the numerical instability caused by the buckling of a thin shell structure, a strong coupling strategy is taken together with some stabilization techniques for fluids and structures. The simulation of the pulsation of a 3D simplified artificial heart model with structural buckling and large domain changes are demonstrated to show the capability of the proposed methods. The reasons for the numerical instability caused by the structural buckling are clarified.