The effects of a bottom-mounted rectangular block on the sloshing char
acteristics of the fluid in rectangular tanks are investigated using t
he linear water wave theory. For the sloshing analysis the velocity po
tential is decomposed into those for the wall-induced waves and the re
flected, transmitted and scattered waves by the block. The reflection
and transmission coefficients related to the block are determined usin
g the continuity conditions of mass flux and energy flux on the common
vertical boundaries of the fluid regions and the boundary conditions
on both sides of the block. Verification of the present analysis metho
d is carried out by comparing the results with those by other methods.
The analysis results indicate that the size and location of the block
significantly influence the sloshing frequencies and mode shapes. In
general, sloshing frequencies reduce as the block becomes tall and wid
e. The variations of the sloshing frequencies and mode shapes due to t
he block are found to be more sensitive in broad tanks than in tall ta
nks. The hydrodynamic pressure exerted on the tank wall and the block
changes significantly as the block becomes large and moves toward the
wall. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.