Research on fluid-structure interaction mapping methodology for liquid cargo tank sloshing loads using FLOW-3D

Objectives The transmission of sloshing loads in cargo tank compartments is a critical factor in fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations for liquid cargo ships. However, no universally applicable mapping methods or standalone tools have been established, leading to poor integration between widely used sloshing load prediction software and structural analysis tools. This limits their efficient collaboration in engineering applications. Methods Through an analysis of sloshing load prediction software and structural analysis software, this study clarified the data exchange formats between the two platforms. Three mapping methods for fluid-structure coupling that balance computational efficiency and accuracy were proposed. A dedicated tool software was developed to implement these methods, forming a complete automated solution for seamless data transmission and coupling analysis. Results Validation via case studies demonstrated that the developed tool achieves high-precision transmission of sloshing loads. It accurately captures the evolving trends and detailed characteristics of sloshing load distribution on structural models. The data transmission errors of all three proposed mapping methods were below 5%.Conclusions The developed mapping tool serves as a universal solution for fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis, applicable to multi-physics coupling simulations and structural optimization in liquid cargo ship design. It significantly improve the work efficiency of engineering personnel by streamlining the process of integrating sloshing load predictions with structural analysis workflows.