Coupled Fluid-Structure Analysis with EUROPLEXUS Fast Dynamics Software of the CWHTF Experiment

The present paper aims at the validation of modelling capacities of the EUROPLEXUS fast dynamics software in the domain of condensation-induced water hammers and Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI). Two numerical models of EUROPLEXUS accounting for FSI effects are considered and compared throughout modelling and computation. The first model is a simplified pipeline model using intrinsically coupled pipeline elements. The second FSI model is a mixed model; it contains both pipeline and 3D parts and uses a special interface model between the 3D fluid volume and the shell mesh of the piping. Numerical results are compared with experimental data obtained on the Cold Water Hammer Test Facility (CWHTF) at Forschungszentrum Rossendorf, within the WAHALoads European project. In this experiment water hammer is generated by accelerated water bouncing against a lid flange.