Self-excited sloshing due to the fluid discharge over a flexible cylindrical weir

This paper presents an analytical model for the self-excited sloshing due t o the fluid discharge over a flexible weir, as observed in the cooling circ uit of the French fast breeder reactor, Super-Phenix-1. To clarify the inst ability mechanism, we analyzed the case in which an annular reservoir wad d ivided into an upstream and a downstream plenum by a flexible cylindrical w eir. The kinematic and dynamic effects of the discharged fluid on downstrea m plenum sloshing are discussed in details. Calculations are presented for the cylindrical fluid-structure model with successively increasing fluid le vel difference between the upstream and downstream plenums, and the instabi lity mechanism is examined. [S0094-9930(00)00901-X].