MODELING OF LIQUID SLOSHING IN RECTANGULAR TANKS WITH FLOW-DAMPENING DEVICES

For the purpose of damper application, a new mathematical model of liq uid sloshing in rectangular tanks, which includes the effects of flow- dampening devices, is developed. The devices used here are for increas ing the dissipation rate of sloshing energy, such that the sloshing ca n be utilized as an effective vibration absorbing mechanism. The theor etical study is focused on the first sloshing mode. It is found that t he devices introduce non-linear damping to the sloshing mode and also reduce the modal frequency slightly by added mass effect. The findings are confirmed by free sloshing experiments, After closely checking th e performance of various devices, a wire-mesh screen device is chosen for further investigation. Forced vibration responses, as well as free sloshing characteristics, are elaborately examined by shaking table e xperiments and theoretical analysis. Reasonable agreement is obtained, and the validity of the model is confirmed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.