Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002

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Ocean Engineering
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/oceaneng

Numerical study on suppressing liquid sloshing of a rectangular tank using

moving baffles linked to a spring system
A. Iranmanesh a, *, R. Nikbakhti b
a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran
b
School of Engineering, College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS7001, Australia

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: In this paper, feasibility of applying moving baffles linked to a spring system as a mitigation device to suppress
Free-surface flows liquid sloshing of a container undergoing a harmonic and seismic excitation is investigated numerically using the
Liquid sloshing Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) technique. The interaction between the Eulerian fluid domain where the
Moving baffle
material can pass through the mesh and the Lagrangian tank domain where the material is supposed to be fixed
Spring system
Two-phase flows
to the mesh is modelled using the CEL capability of ABAQUS software. Firstly, free sloshing of a rigid/deformable
tank is achieved and the numerical results are compared with those of the experiment to validate the numerical
simulation quantitatively. Secondly, liquid sloshing of a moving container in absence/presence of moving baffles
is simulated and compared with those of the experimental cases qualitatively. Furthermore, the effects of various
parameters namely excitation amplitude and frequency, filling ratio, spring stiffness and damping coefficient on
both the sloshing kinetic energy and normal forces exerted on the tank wall are investigated separately. The
results show that the spring stiffness effects on the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing is minor while the normal
force exerted on the left wall can be highly influenced by the spring stiffness.

1. Introduction
Collision of the liquid with the inner surface of a containing tank due
to the relative motion between them is called liquid sloshing. Studying
liquid sloshing is of great importance since the internal structures of a
tank can be subjected to structural failure due to the repeated impact
loads exerted on them. These impact loads become even more severe
when the tank is excited with a frequency which is equal to natural
frequency of the liquid within the tank. Therefore, mitigating liquid
sloshing of a container is highly interested in the field of marine engi­
neering and naval architecture due to its pivotal role especially in
transportation of natural gas, oil and liquids (Faltinsen and Timokha,
2009; Ibrahim, 2005).
So many researches have been achieved on liquid sloshing in rect­
angular and cylindrical tanks so far using theoretical and experimental
approaches. Due to complexity and non-linearity of this phenomenon,
experimental studies are highly preferred to be accomplished instead of
analytical and numerical methods. An analytical solution for 2D liquid
sloshing of rectangular tanks was introduced by Faltinsen (1978). This
analytical model was used by so many researchers to validate the nu­
merical models. Chiba (1995) and Dutta and Laha (2000) proposed
baffles to suppress liquid sloshing of a moving container since the liquid
viscosity had a minor effect on increasing the hydrodynamic damping
rate. Choun and Yun (1996, 1999) applied the small-amplitude wave
theory to study liquid sloshing of rectangular tanks in presence of a
bottom-mounted rectangular block. Liu and Lin (2008) introduced a
second-order Volume of Fluid (VOF) scheme to capture break up in free
surfaces during nonlinear liquid sloshing. The turbulence effects were
also studied via the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) approach in the
research. Tippmann et al. (2009) applied the CEL approach to simulate a
two-dimensional liquid sloshing in a rectangular tank using ABAQUS
software. The authors improved the solution time via decreasing the
sound wave speed for the equation of state material model. The authors
also assumed the tank geometry to be deformable to analyze the
deformation and stresses in the tank due to the liquid sloshing. It was
concluded that the CEL technique had a high capability to simulate the
fluid structure interaction for a special type of problems. Liu and Lin
(2009) applied the virtual boundary force method to simulate the liquid
sloshing in presence of the vertical baffles within the tank in a later
research. Maleki and Ziyaeifar (2008) examined the feasibility of
applying ring baffles to suppress liquid sloshing of circular-cylindrical
tanks via conducting some experiments. During the test, the excitation

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: iranmanesh.aghil@ujiroft.ac.ir (A. Iranmanesh).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.109002
Received 11 July 2020; Received in revised form 6 April 2021; Accepted 10 April 2021
Available online 22 April 2021
0029-8018/© 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti
amplitudes were 0.4 and 1.5 mm while the amounts of relative depth
(water depth to the height of the tank) were supposed to be 0.17, 0.25,
0.42, 0.63 and 0.83 during the experiment. It was reported that using
ring baffles were an efficient way to mitigate the sloshing waves.
Eswaran et al. (2009) applied the VOF technique with
Arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) formulation to study liquid slosh­
ing for baffled and un-baffled tanks. The ADINA software was used to
obtain the response of the coupled system. The results showed that
sloshing effects for the baffled tank could be diminished efficiently.
Panigrahy et al. (2009) accomplished some experiments on the liquid
sloshing set-up to estimate efficacy of baffles in mitigating the liquid
sloshing waves. The excitation frequency and water depth in the square
tank were varied and the free-surface elevation of water from the mean
static level and the pressure variations on the tank walls were studied
experimentally. The experiments were achieved for the baffled and
unbaffled tanks and the results were analyzed.
Thiagarajan et al. (2011) simulated liquid sloshing in a 2D rectan­
gular tank subjected to the sway excitation. The VOF technique was
applied to track the air-water interface while a finite volume approxi­
mation was used to model the fluid domain. The effects of various pa­
rameters namely the fill levels and excitation time periods on the liquid
sloshing dynamics were studied and the numerical results were
compared with those of theoretical predictions available in the litera­
ture. Wang et al. (2013) investigated the feasibility of applying multiple
annular rigid baffles as a mitigation device to suppress liquid sloshing in
a rigid cylindrical tank experiencing lateral excitation. The authors
finally discussed various parameters namely the hydrodynamic pressure
distribution, height of surface wave and hydrodynamic momentum and
force of a tank under harmonic and seismic excitations in their research.
Koh et al. (2013) applied a constrained floating baffle to suppress liquid
sloshing in a rectangular container using the improved Consistent Par­
ticle Method (CPM). The authors validated the introduced algorithm by
free sloshing and hydrostatic cases having less spurious fluctuations. The
authors also conducted some experiments to validate the numerical re­
sults obtained. Hwang et al. (2016) modelled liquid sloshing in rolling
rectangular tanks with elastic baffles using a modified particle-based
Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) solver. The authors supposed the roll­
ing amplitude to be 4◦ while the period of rolling motion was assumed to
be 85% of natural period of the container. The results of sloshing with
various configurations including sloshing without any baffle, with a
rigid baffle and a set of flexible baffles were analyzed and compared
with each other in the research. Iranmanesh and Passandideh-Fard
(2017) investigated the feasibility of using a submerged cylinder as a
mitigation device to suppress liquid sloshing in a rectangular container.
The sloshing tank was moved with both a constant acceleration and
single oscillatory excitation. The free-surface deformation was recon­
structed using the VOF approach. The authors compared the results of
liquid sloshing in presence of a submerged cylinder with those obtained
from the experiments of free sloshing with no cylinder. It was finally
concluded that a submerged cylinder had an outstanding role in miti­
gating liquid sloshing when the sloshing tank was excited with the Single
Oscillatory Excitation. Kim et al. (2018) conducted some experiments to
restrain violent liquid sloshing in a rectangular tank using moving baf­
fles coupled to a spring system. The experimental results for free liquid
sloshing were compared with those obtained from liquid sloshing of a
container with moving baffles. The experimental results showed that the
sloshing phenomenon was suppressed effectively using the
spring-connected horizontal baffles.
Zhang et al. (2019) examined an anti-sloshing technique to suppress
liquid sloshing of a container undergoing a harmonic excitation. The
authors studied the experimental observations using an analytical
potential-flow solution. The wave profiles and dynamic pressure his­
tories for various layers of floating foams were obtained and analyzed. It
was deduced that the sloshing amplitude would decrease even by
applying a single layer of floating foams. Ünal et al. (2019) studied the
effects of using T-shaped baffles on suppressing liquid sloshing of a
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Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002
rectangular tank. The authors varied various parameters including
filling depths, baffle heights and the rotation angle to investigate the
effects of these parameters on the free-surface elevations and hydrody­
namic loads on the tank wall. It was finally concluded that the baffle
height had a major role on the wave damping and pressure when its
height was supposed to be larger than 80% of the liquid depth. Nasar
and Sannasiraj (2019) studied the behavior of porous baffle arrange­
ments in a barge carrying liquid container on the sloshing dynamics
experimentally. The sloshing container was subjected to regular beam
sea waves while the filling ratio of the tank was assumed to be 75%. The
excitation frequencies of the generated wave were varied between 0.45
Hz and 1.54 Hz while the wave height was supposed to be 0.1 m. The
authors also discussed the effects of the baffle position on the sloshing
dynamics. Zhang (2020) applied finite difference method to study the
sloshing modal properties (including sloshing mode shapes and sloshing
frequencies) of sloped-bottom Tuned Liquid Dampers (TLD). It was
found the sloshing mode shapes of the shallow-water sloped-bottom TLD
were not similar to those of the deep-water sloped-bottom TLD. Jin et al.
(2020) conducted some experiments to investigate the viscous influence
on the liquid sloshing of a container under resonant and off-resonant
condition. The authors chose tap water and glycerin at various tem­
peratures as the experimental fluids. The authors obtained a viscosity
threshold where the sloshing slowly shifted from the resonant-steady
state to the harmonic state. Das et al. (2020) accomplished some ex­
periments to estimate the capability of using U-shaped containers as
liquid dampers in tall buildings. The tall buildings were subjected to free
and forced vibration tests and liquid sloshing effects on the response
control of tall buildings were analyzed. They also applied both 2D and
3D numerical models to simulate liquid sloshing in U-shaped containers.
The numerical results were in good agreement with those of the ex­
periments. Zheng et al. (2020) developed a numerical model to inves­
tigate the effects of a porous bottom layer on sloshing dynamics in a
rectangular tank with single and multi-layered fluids. The authors
analyzed the effects of excitation frequency, permeability and porosity
values of the bottom layer on the dynamics of sloshing. The results
showed that damping capability increased as porosity ratios and
permeability values of the porous bottom layer were decreased. Ma et al.
(2021) investigated the feasibility of applying single and double vertical
baffles to suppress violent transient sloshing numerically. The damping
effects of single and double vertical baffles were evaluated via
measuring the liquid elevation, energy dissipation and total impact
pressure. It was reported that arrangement of multiple baffles had a
determinant role on damping effects. Liu et al. (2021) developed a
multi-layered VOF method to simulate two-layered liquid sloshing in a
rectangular tank subjected to horizontal excitations. The authors
applied experimental data and linear analytical solution to evaluate the
accuracy of numerical results. The numerical results were in good
agreement with those of analytical solution when nonlinearity was
supposed to be weak. Furthermore, two natural frequencies were
observed for two-layered liquid sloshing while the larger frequency was
associated with the upper layer.
Feasibility of using porous and non-porous baffles to suppress liquid
sloshing of both rectangular and cylindrical containers have been
investigated comprehensively by many researchers in the literature
while the baffles are supposed to be fixed during the analysis. However,
capability of using moving baffles in suppressing liquid sloshing of a
moving container has not been studied by the researchers numerically so
far. Therefore, feasibility of using moving baffles as a mitigation device
to suppress liquid sloshing of a rectangular container undergoing har­
monic and seismic excitations is investigated numerically in this paper.
Firstly, liquid sloshing of a rigid/deformable container is achieved using
the CEL technique and the numerical results are compared with the
results available in the literature to validate the CEL technique quanti­
tatively. Secondly, liquid sloshing of a moving container in absence/
presence of moving baffles is modelled and numerical results are
compared with those of the experiment qualitatively. In order to confirm
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti
that liquid sloshing of a moving container can be suppressed efficiently
via using moving baffles, the effects of various parameters namely
excitation amplitude and frequency, filling ratio, spring stiffness and
damping coefficient on both the suppression rate of kinetic energy and
normal forces exerted on the left wall of a moving container are studied
separately.
2. Computational model and governing equations
2.1. The CEL approach
In this paper, liquid sloshing in a rectangular container with/without
moving baffles are simulated using the CEL technique presented in the
commercial software ABAQUS. It is not possible to model the flow
problems using the Lagrangian elements due to violent mesh distortion.
It is proposed to simulate fluid flow problems using the Eulerian ele­
ments since the Eulerian mesh does not have any deformation. The
Lagrangian element is applied to simulate the tank wall while the
Eulerian element is used to simulate the liquid in the CEL approach.
Fig. 1. Flowchart of finite element procedure achieved in the CEL approach.
3
Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002
Stresses and computed pressures in the Eulerian mesh are enforced on
the Lagrangian cells as external loads in the CEL approach. In other
words, the Lagrangian mesh operates like a boundary condition applied
on the flow of material in the Eulerian meshes (Qiu et al., 2011). The
computational nodes are supposed to be fixed within the material in a
Lagrangian analysis while both the material and the elements can have
deformation together. In a Lagrangian approach, the element boundary
is the same as the material boundary since the Lagrangian elements are
always filled with a material. The computational nodes in an Eulerian
analysis are assumed to be fixed in space while they do not have any
deformation when the material moves through them. Unlike the
Lagrangian analysis, the Eulerian elements may be void and partially
filled in an Eulerian analysis and the material does not always occupy
total volume of Eulerian elements. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate
the Eulerian material boundary at each time step since an element
boundary does not coincide with the Eulerian material boundary. To
provide enough space for the material to flow and deform, the domain of
Eulerian is supposed to be large enough to cover the Eulerian material
boundaries. In the CEL technique, the liquid and the tank wall
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002

interactions are simulated using the general contact algorithm in which determined using a mathematical function known as equation of state
hard contact interaction is defined in the normal and tangential di­ (h) defined as follows:
rections. It should be mentioned that it is not needed to define extra
P = h(ρ, Em ) (5)
solvers for simulating the liquid region singly in the CEL approach. The
flowchart of finite element procedure achieved in the CEL approach is All the equilibrium states in a material can be characterized using Eq.
shown in Fig. 1. It should be mentioned that the commercial software (5). To obtain a relationship between P and 1ρ or P and V (V stands for
ABAQUS applies the VOF technique to track free-surface deformation in current volume), the term of internal energy in Eq. (5) should be elim­
the Eulerian implementation. By defining a separate volume fraction inated. The unique equation determining the relationship between P and
tool in each Eulerian element, the free surface deformation is tracked
ρ is known as the Hugoniot curve. This curve shows the locus of P–V
1
when the liquid moves through the mesh. The Eulerian Volume Fraction
states behind a shock. The Hugoniot curve is illustrated in Fig. 2 (Isbell
(EVF) is denoted by a scalar field (f) which varies between zero (0) and
et al., 1968). It should be mentioned that the Hugoniot pressure (PH)
one (1). f = 1 refers to the case when the total volume of the element is
depends only on the density and this factor can be specified using fitting
occupied by the liquid while the completely void elements are shown by
experimental data. The equation of state is linear in energy when it is
f = 0. When the amount of the EVF varies between 0 and 1, it is
written as follows:
interpreted that the elements are partially filled with the liquid.
Therefore, the EVF is defined as follows: P = F + gEm (6)
⎧
⎨ If f = 0 empty The equation of state model determines F(ρ) and g(ρ) and these pa­
f (x, y, t) = If 0 < f < 1 partially filled (1) rameters (F and g) are only mathematical functions of the density.
⎩
If f = 1 filled
2.2.2. Mie-Grüneisen equation of state
During the analysis, it is necessary to update the amount of f while
The most common form of Mie-Grüneisen equation of state which is
the mesh is restored in every incremental step. An Eulerian-Lagrangian
linear in energy can be written as follows:
contact algorithm is applied to enforce the interaction between an
Eulerian and a Lagrangian continuum in the CEL approach. It should be P − PH = Γρ(Em − EH ) (7)
noted that an Eulerian-Lagrangian contact algorithm is ignored at the
nodes with a material volume fraction lower than 0.5. By using the where the Hugoniot pressure and specific internal energy are shown by
central difference operator along with the Lagrange-plus-remap formu­ PH and EH , respectively. The Grüneisen ratio is denoted by Γ which is
lation, the Eulerian time integration is accomplished in the explicit defined as follows:
method. In the explicit method, the numerical approach is conditionally ρ0
stable. In other words, the solution diverges and becomes unstable if the Γ = Γ0 (8)
ρ
time increment is too big. The stable time increment can be estimated
by: the reference density and material constant are shown by ρ0 and Γ0 ,
( e) respectively. The relationship between the Hugoniot pressure (PH ) and
L
Δt = min (2) Hugoniot energy (EH ) can be determined using the following equation:
cd
PH η
EH = (9)
where Le stands for the characteristic element length and the dilatational 2ρ0
wave speed of the material is shown bycd . cd can be obtained for a linear
elastic material by: η=1 −
ρ0
(10)
√̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅ ρ
λ + 2μ
cd = (3) the nominal volumetric compressive strain is denoted by η. After
ρ
substituting the amounts of Γ and EH into Eq. (7), its final form is
where Lame’s constants are denoted by λ and μ and ρ stands for the simplified to Eq. (11):
material density. If a finite element mesh of a single material is
considered, the stable time increment will be determined by the smallest
element in the mesh.

2.2. Material properties

2.2.1. Hugoniot curve and energy equation

The rate of exchanged heat and the rate at which work is being done
by the stresses determine the increase rate of internal energy per unit
mass, Em, by solving the energy equation. If the heat conduction term is
being neglected in the energy equation, the equation for conservation of
energy can be simplified as follows (ABAQUS 6.11 Documentation,
2011):
∂Em 1 ∂ρ
ρ = (P − Pbv ) + S : ė + ρQ̇ (4)
∂t ρ ∂t

Where ρ and P stand for the density and pressure stress respectively
while the pressure stress is supposed to be positive in compression. The
pressure stress due to the bulk viscosity is denoted by Pbv . The deviatoric
stress tensor, deviatoric part of strain rate, and rate of heat per unit mass
are shown by S, ė, and Q̇, respectively. The relationship among the
pressure (P), density (ρ) and internal energy per unit mass (Em ) can be Fig. 2. Schematic illustration of a Hugoniot curve (Isbell et al., 1968).

4
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002

( Γ 0 η) respectively. The schematic diagram of the oscillating tank is illustrated

P = PH 1 − + Γ 0 ρ0 Em (11)
2 in Fig. 3. The simulated tank was composed of the tank wall and water.
It should be mentioned that the energy equation and equation of In the CEL technique, the tank wall was modelled using Lagrangian el­
state should be solved simultaneously in commercial software ABAQUS ements while Eulerian elements were applied to simulate water. It
since they are coupled together via pressure and internal energy. should be noted that tank walls were modelled using shell elements with
a very small thickness since the tank was supposed to be rigid. In order to
2.2.3. Linear Us− Up Hugoniot form determine the initial region occupied by water, the Eulerian part was
By accomplishing a common fit to the Hugoniot data, one can write: partitioned. The void material option was attributed to all other parti­
tions during the step of material assignment. In this research, linear
ρ0 c20 η Us− Up Hugoniot form was used as a governing equation to simulate
PH = (12)
(1 − sη)2 water. The sound wave speed of water was supposed to be 1483 m/s.
In this research, the water tank was supposed to be excited using the
By defining c0 ands, the linear relationship between the shock ve­
following equation:
locity (Us ) and particle velocity (Up ) can be determined using Eq. (13):
X = A sin(2π fd t) (16)
Us = c0 + sUp (13)

By substituting Eq. (12) into Eq. (11), the linear Linear Us− Up where A and fd stand for the amplitude and frequency of excitation,
Hugoniot form can be written as follows (ABAQUS 6.11 Documentation, respectively. The amount of excitation amplitude was supposed to be
2011): 0.0054 m while driving frequency of the water tank (fd ) was assumed to
be1.09fn . In this simulation, 3D eight-node Eulerian continuum element
ρ0 c20 η ( Γ0 η) with reduced integration (EC3D8R) was applied to simulate the water
P= 1− + Γ 0 ρ 0 Em (14)
(1 − sη)2 2 while the rigid container was modelled using a three-dimensional four-
node bi-linear quadrilateral discrete rigid element (R3D4) as illustrated
By calculating the amount of ρ0 c20 , the elastic bulk modulus at small
in Fig. 4. In order to validate the CEL approach achieved in ABAQUS, the
nominal strains can be evaluated.
free-surface elevation on the left side of the tank was compared with
In this research, the incompressible viscous flow can be simulated
those obtained from a CFD approach. Free-surface elevation on the left
using a linear Us− Up equation of state model. The equation of state
side of the moving tank was calculated via multiplying the element
governs the volumetric response and the bulk modulus is considered to
height by summation of all of water volume fraction values for the
be a penalty parameter for the incompressible constraint. The linear Us-
vertical column of elements. In order to investigate the mesh refinement
Up Hugoniot form of the Mie–Grüneisen equation of state is applied to
study, the number of cells per the tank length (CPL) was defined. The
simulate the water. The amounts of density and bulk modulus for water
CPL was increased until no remarkable changes in the kinetic energy of
are 998 kg/m3 and 2.094 GPa. Material properties considered for water
liquid sloshing were observed. The results of mesh refinement study for
in this research are presented in Table 1.
the rectangular rigid tank are illustrated in Fig. 5. Based on Fig. 5, the
amount of CPL was finally selected to be 240 to simulate the liquid
3. Results and discussion
sloshing of a rectangular container using the CEL technique. At initial
stages, the wave amplitude was considerable low while sudden changes
3.1. Mesh refinement study and validation
in the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing were observed until t = 0.8 s.
These sudden changes can be attributed to the inertia effects. After the
3.1.1. Free liquid sloshing of a rigid tank
transient stage, the wave amplitude varied uniformly between t = 0.8 s
In this paper, the results of liquid sloshing in a rectangular container
and t = 3.0 s and sudden oscillations in the amounts of the kinetic energy
were compared with those of CFD simulation (STAR-CCM+) to evaluate
were removed. It should be mentioned that the amplitude of kinetic
the accuracy of the CEL technique. The fundamental sloshing frequency
energy of the liquid sloshing would increase as the time passed (between
of the liquid inside a rectangular tank(fn ) can be predicted using the
t = 0.8 s and t = 3.0 s). The results of free-surface elevation on the left
linear wave theory (Love et al., 2020):
side of the rigid tank obtained from the CEL approach are compared with
√̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
( )̅
1 πg πd those of a CFD method (Tippmann et al., 2009) in Fig. 6. Based on Fig. 6,
fn = tanh (15) the numerical results computed by the CEL approach for the rigid tank
2π L L
were in good agreement with those of the CFD method in terms of the
wave amplitude and frequency. Furthermore, amplitude of the wave
where L, d and g stand for the length of tank, water depth and gravity
height would increase from t = 0.0 s to t = 5.0 s as the time passed.
acceleration, respectively. It should be mentioned that liquid motion
was assumed to be irrotational, inviscid and incompressible to derive Eq.
(15). Wave motions were also supposed to be linear while the walls of
tank were assumed to be vertical. Furthermore, the liquid sloshing in a
tank was considered to be the superposition of a progressing wave and
its reflection wave. In order to have natural frequency of 1 Hz, the length
of tank (L) and water depth (d) were supposed to be 0.61 m and 0.20 m,

Table 1
Material properties considered for water in this
research.
Parameters Value

Density (ρ) 998 kg/m3

Viscosity (η) 0.001 N/m2
c0 1485 m/s
S 0
Γ0 0
Fig. 3. Schematic diagram of the oscillating tank.

5
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002

Fig. 4. Element types applied in simulating a rectangular liquid storage tank

using the CEL technique.
Fig. 6. Comparison of the free-surface elevation on the left side of the rigid and
flexible tanks obtained from the CEL approach with the numerical results
presented by Tippmann et al. (2009).

amount of the wave height is observed for the flexible tank compared
with that of the rigid tank due to the flexibility effects. It should be
mentioned the frequency of the wave is not affected by the flexibility
effects while driving frequency can change the frequency and amplitude
of the wave as shown in Fig. 6.

3.2. Investigating the feasibility of applying moving baffles in suppressing

the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing under a harmonic excitation

In this section, the results of liquid sloshing in a rectangular tank in

absence/presence of moving baffles are compared with those of the
experiments available in the literature (Kim et al., 2018). In other words,
the mechanism of using moving baffles coupled to a spring system are
studied and investigated in detail. The tank with a size of (L × B × H) of
0.874 × 0.07 × 0.535 (m) was simulated and analyzed in this paper as

Fig. 5. The results of mesh refinement study for the kinetic energy of liquid
sloshing versus time.

3.1.2. Free liquid sloshing of a flexible tank

In this section, liquid sloshing in a flexible container is simulated
using the same model presented for the rigid container analysis. To
validate the numerical approach for the liquid sloshing of a flexible tank,
the results of free surface elevation on the left side of a moving container
were compared with those of the numerical approach achieved by
Tippmann et al. (2009) as shown in Fig. 6. The tank walls were supposed
to be composed of generic steel while the wall thickness was supposed to
be 0.01 m. The amount of driving frequency for the flexible case was
supposed to be 0.9fn . Furthermore, the results of liquid sloshing in a
rigid tank were compared with those of the flexible tank in Fig. 6 to
study the effects of flexibility and driving frequency on the wave height
simultaneously. As shown in Fig. 6, at initial times (from t = 0.0 s to t =
1.0 s), the effect of flexibility on the wave height is higher than that of
the driving frequency. As the time passed (from t = 1.0 s to t = 5.0 s), the
effects of driving frequency on the wave height became major compared
Fig. 7. Dimension of sloshing tank in presence of moving baffles coupled to a
to those of flexibility. As can be seen from Fig. 6, a decrease in the
spring system.

6
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti
shown in Fig. 7. The tank was supposed to be made of transparent acrylic
since it was possible to capture the flow motion. Furthermore, the time
step size value was supposed to be 3.48 × 10− 6 s. The top of the rect­
angular tank was closed and the value of pressure on the liquid free
surface was equal to atmospheric pressure initially. Furthermore, the top
box was fixed to the rectangular tank and its material was supposed to be
the same as that of the tank. The mechanism and dimension of
spring-linked baffles are illustrated in Fig. 8. Based on Fig. 8, two springs
were arranged and fixed between the top box and moving baffles on the
left and right sides of the simulated tank. The moving baffles coupled to
a spring system were supposed to have only 1 DOF motion in the
downward and upward directions. This assumption was made to elim­
inate any jig generated in each spring. In order to guarantee the smooth
motion of the moving baffles, a space of 1 mm in the widthwise and
lengthwise directions was considered to eliminate unwanted friction
generated between the moving tank and baffles. The springs were free to
move in the upward direction while they were constrained in the
downward direction at their initial positions. Furthermore, both springs
were supposed to be in the free length condition at their initial states.
The material of the moving baffles was selected to be the same trans­
parent acrylic as the material of the tank while the lengths of moving
baffles were assumed to be 20% of that of the moving tank. To study the
characteristics of moving baffles coupled to a spring system, the nu­
merical results of free sloshing and sloshing in presence of moving
baffles were obtained and compared with each other in this research.
The baffle size (l × b × h) was supposed to be 0.174 × 0.068 × 0.008 (m)
and the mass of the spring system was 0.39 kg totally. Material prop­
erties considered for water in the numerical simulation are presented in
Table 1. Furthermore, the spring system applied in this paper to suppress
the liquid sloshing in a rectangular tank are demonstrated in Fig. 8 while
more detailed data on the dimension of the spring system are presented
in Table 2. The sloshing tank was supposed to be moved in the sway
direction while Eq. (16) was applied to enforce the 1-DOF motion of the
tank. In this section, the excitation amplitude of the moving tank was
supposed to be 0.075 m while the period of the motion was set to 1.35 s
using Eq. (15). The water depth of the sloshing tank was assumed to be
37% of the tank height. In order to facilitate definition of cases with
various conditions, some parameters were defined in the following order
to show the case concisely: filling ratio (F), excitation amplitude (A),
absence and presence of the spring system (S), and period of excitation
(T). For example, a case with the filling ratio of 37% (d/H), amplitude of
0.075 m, in absence of the spring system (S00) and excitation period of
1.35 s was denoted by F37A75S00T135. Liquid sloshing results of a
moving container in absence/presence of moving baffles are compared
with those of the experiments achieved by Kim et al. (2018) in Figs. 9
and 10. Furthermore, contours of velocity magnitude are also shown for
Fig. 8. Details of the spring system applied in this paper to suppress the liquid sloshing in a rectangular tank.
7
Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002
Table 2
More detailed information on the dimension of the spring system.
Symbols Dimension (m) Symbols Dimension (m)
A 0.1500 H 0.0080
C 0.0695 K 0.0060
E 0.0500 J 0.0800
L 0.1740 M 0.0127
B 0.0680
better analysis. Based on Figs. 9 and 10, contours of velocity magnitude
for liquid sloshing in absence/presence of moving baffles are approxi­
mately the same at t = 0.168 s and t = 0.904 s since the waves are not
collided with the baffles. At t = 0.168 s, velocity magnitude on the left
and right sides of the container are the highest while the arrangement of
the velocity magnitude is reversed at t = 0.904 s. At t = 1.328 s, the flow
rises after impacting with the tank walls in absence of moving baffles
while the impact velocity is increased in comparison with that of free
sloshing case as the flow collides with the spring baffles instead of the
tank ceiling. As can be seen from Figs. 9 and 10, the region on the left
side of the tank has the lowest velocity magnitude in absence/presence
of moving baffles. Based on Fig. 10, velocity magnitude on the right side
of the moving baffle has the highest value since the wall effects are
decreased as the distance from the side walls increases. As the time
passes, velocity magnitude throughout the body of the liquid for both
cases decrease at t = 1.456 s. After collision of the flow with the moving
baffle, kinetic energy of the flow is decreased considerably at t = 1.688 s
in comparison with that of the flow in absence of moving baffles. It
should be mentioned that wall effects on the velocity magnitude are
more pronounced in the second scenario where the flow is obstructed by
the spring baffle at t = 1.688 s. At t = 1.912 s, the flow is collided with
the tank ceiling again in the free sloshing case while a free jet flow in a
horizontal direction is generated due to the impact of the waves with the
spring baffle as shown in Fig. 10. Velocity magnitude in the body of the
liquid decreases for both cases at t = 2.032 s. Although velocity mag­
nitudes on the bottom of the flow for the two cases are considerably low
at t = 2.616 s, but a horizontal free jet generated by impacting the flow
with the tank ceiling has a higher velocity in comparison with that of the
flow generated in presence of moving baffles. It should be mentioned
that maximum velocity magnitude at t = 2.616 s for the free sloshing
case is about 5 m/s while the value of velocity magnitude in the region of
generated free jet in presence of moving baffles are approximately 3
m/s. As the time passes, the region occupied by the generated free jet
spreads for the free sloshing case while the free jet in presence of moving
baffles is suppressed at t = 2.776 s as shown in both the experimental
and numerical results (Fig. 10). To study the effects of moving baffles on
suppressing the kinetic energy of the liquid, kinetic energy variations of
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002

Fig. 9. Liquid sloshing of a moving container in absence of moving baffles (F37A75S00T135): (a) Experiment (Kim et al., 2018) (b) Present study (using the
CEL technique).

Fig. 10. Liquid sloshing of a moving container in presence of moving baffles (F37A75S01T135): (a) Experiment (Kim et al., 2018) (b) Present study (using the
CEL technique).

the liquid sloshing undergoing a harmonic excitation in absence/pre­ the moving baffles at t = 1.2 s approximately. It should be mentioned
sence of moving baffles versus time are shown in Fig. 11a. Based on that maximum of kinetic energy of the liquid sloshing occurs at t = 2.35 s
Fig. 11a, the difference between kinetic energy of liquid sloshing in approximately for both cases. Based on Fig. 11a, maximum of kinetic
absence and presence of moving baffles show that the flow collides with energies of the liquid sloshing in absence/presence of moving baffles are

8
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002

the effects of moving baffles on suppressing the kinetic energy of the

liquid sloshing more precisely, the suppression rate of the kinetic energy
is calculated as follows (Iranmanesh and Passandideh-Fard, 2017):
⃒ ⃒
⃒TKEave,free − TKEave,baffle ⃒
Suppression ​ rate ​ of ​ kinetic ​ energy = × 100
TKEave,free
(17)

where the average of total kinetic energy for the free sloshing case and
sloshing case with moving baffles are denoted by TKEave,free and
TKEave,baffle , respectively. The results show that using moving baffles as a
mitigation device of the liquid sloshing can decrease the total kinetic
energy by nearly 20.5%. To show the mechanism of the moving baffles
in reducing the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing undergoing a harmonic
excitation, the velocity fields of the flow in absence/presence of moving
baffles are shown in Fig. 12. As can be seen from Fig. 12, the moving
baffles mitigate the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing via two ways:
absorbing the kinetic energy of the liquid sloshing via the spring baffles
and the recirculation zones generated in the liquid domain which
dissipate the kinetic energy of the liquid as shown in Fig. 12. As can be
seen from Fig. 12, no recirculation zone is generated in the liquid zone
for the free sloshing case while a recirculation zone can be observed in
presence of moving baffles. It should be mentioned that these two pa­
rameters are considered implicitly in calculating the kinetic energy of
the liquid. To investigate the effects of moving baffles on reducing the
normal forces exerted on the tank walls quantitatively, the results of
normal forces exerted on the left wall in absence of moving baffles are
compared with those of numerical results calculated in presence of
moving baffles in Fig. 13. At initial times, a sudden increase in the
amount of normal force exerted on the left wall is observed in presence
of moving baffles. The initial increase in the normal force values can be
attributed to the impact of the spring baffle structure as well as the liquid
body with the tank walls. At most times, the amplitudes of normal forces
exerted on the tank walls are decreased as the flow collides with the
moving baffles. Furthermore, the highest decrease of the normal force
value occurs at t = 2.2 s approximately. It should be mentioned that
maximum forces exerted on the left wall in absence/presence of moving
baffles are about 109 and 78 N, respectively showing that moving baffles
can decrease the maximum of unwanted forces exerted on the tank walls
by 28.44%.

3.3. The effects of various parameters on the liquid sloshing of a moving

container in presence of moving baffles

In this section, the effects of various parameters namely the ampli­

Fig. 11. aKinetic energy of the liquid sloshing undergoing a harmonic excita­ tude and frequency of excitation, the filling ratio of the moving tank, the
tion in absence/presence of moving baffles versus time (F37A75S00T135/ spring stiffness and damping coefficient on the characteristics of liquid
F37A75S01T135). sloshing undergoing a harmonic excitation are investigated. Further­
Fig. 11bVariations of kinetic energy amplitude versus frequency for the liquid more, the efficiency of moving baffles in suppressing the liquid sloshing
sloshing undergoing a harmonic excitation in absence/presence of moving
of a rectangular tank subjected to the seismic excitation is evaluated. To
baffles (F37A75S00T135/F37A75S01T135).
investigate the effects of each parameter on the behavior of liquid
sloshing more precisely, only one favorite parameter is varied while the
about 7.8 and 4.82 J. In other words, the moving baffle can decrease the rest of factors are supposed to be constant for each case.
maximum of kinetic energy of the liquid sloshing undergoing a har­
monic excitation by 38.21%. Variations of kinetic energy amplitude 3.3.1. Harmonic excitation
versus its frequency for the liquid sloshing undergoing a harmonic
excitation in presence/absence of moving baffles are shown in Fig. 11b
3.3.1.1. The amplitude and frequency of excitation. The effects of exci­
using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). As shown in Fig. 11b, maximum of
tation amplitudes on the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing undergoing a
kinetic energy amplitude occurs at low frequencies (0.33 Hz) for both
harmonic excitation in absence/presence of moving baffles are investi­
cases (F37A75S00T135/F37A75S01T135) and applying moving baffles
gated in Fig. 14a. As can be seen from Fig. 14a, the impact time of the
can decrease the maximum of kinetic energy amplitude by 35.42% while
flow with the moving baffle is decreased as the excitation amplitude
its frequency remains approximately constant. Furthermore, peak values
increases. Furthermore, the kinetic energy of the liquid sloshing at the
of kinetic energy amplitude will decrease as the frequency is increased
initial times are approximately the same for the cases investigated (from
based on Fig. 11b. As explained previously, Colliding the flow with the
t = 0 s to t = 0.8 s). Based on Fig. 14a, the highest decrease of the kinetic
moving baffles can cause the impact velocity to increase and conse­
energy value due to presence of moving baffles occurs at peak points and
quently, kinetic energy of the liquid sloshing is increased. To investigate
the decrease rate of the kinetic energy value is increased as the

9
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti
Fig. 12. Velocity field for liquid sloshing of a moving container undergoing a harmonic excitation without (a) with (b) moving baffles at t = 2.616 s
(F37A75S00T135(I)/F37A75S01T135(II)).
Fig. 13. The amounts of normal forces exerted on the left wall of a moving
container undergoing a harmonic excitation in absence/presence of moving
baffles (F37A75S00T135/F37A75S01T135).
excitation amplitude increases. Furthermore, the time at which the peak
points occur in Fig. 14a remain approximately constant for all cases
investigated showing that the excitation amplitude has a minor effect on
shifting the times at which peak points occur. Variations of kinetic en­
ergy amplitude versus its frequency for various excitation amplitudes
are shown in Figs. 11b, 14b and 14c. Applying moving baffles can
decrease maximum of kinetic energy amplitudes for various excitation
amplitudes investigated in Figs. 11b, 14b and 14c. Furthermore, the
differences between maximum of kinetic energy amplitudes in presence
and absence of moving baffles for amplitudes of 50, 75 and 100 mm are
0.294, 0.808 and 1.088 J, respectively while the frequencies of these
peak values will remain approximately constant as the excitation
amplitude is increased. In other words, reduction rate of kinetic energy
amplitudes due to using moving baffles will increase as the excitation
10
Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002
amplitude is increased. To study the effects of moving baffles on
reducing the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing quantitatively, suppres­
sion rate of liquid sloshing for three excitation amplitudes are calculated
and compared with each other in Table 3. Although the highest decrease
of the peak point value occurs at the highest amplitude, but suppression
rate of the average kinetic energy for the intermediate value of excita­
tion amplitude is the highest among the cases investigated. The effects of
the excitation amplitude on the normal forces exerted on the left wall of
a moving container undergoing a harmonic excitation are investigated
in Figs. 13, 15 and 16. Based on these figures, moving baffles can
decrease the maximum force exerted on the tank walls efficiently for the
three amplitudes investigated. Furthermore, the maximum force exerted
on the tank wall at initial times is increased as the excitation amplitude
increases. It should be mentioned that the case with the highest ampli­
tude will also exert the highest normal force on the left wall as expected.
Variations of normal force amplitude exerted on the left wall of moving
container versus frequency are illustrated for excitation amplitudes of
50, 75 and 100 mm in Figs. 17–19, respectively. Based on these figures,
moving baffles can decrease maximum of normal force amplitude
exerted on the left wall of moving container for all cases. Furthermore,
maximum of normal force amplitude impacted on the left wall of the
container increases as the excitation amplitude is increased. The dif­
ferences between maximum of normal force exerted on the left wall in
presence and absence of moving baffles for excitation amplitudes of 50,
75 and 100 mm are 3.613, 2.26 and 0.854 N, respectively. In other
words, the container subjected to the lowest excitation amplitude will
experience the highest decrease of normal force amplitude. The effects
of excitation periods on the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing undergoing
a harmonic excitation are illustrated in Fig. 20a. Excitation periods have
a minor effect on the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing from t = 0 s to t =
0.5 s. As the time passes, the excitation period role becomes more
prominent. Similar to the excitation amplitude, the highest decrease of
the kinetic energy value occurs at peak points. When the excitation
period equals the resonance period (T = 1.35 s), the peak points in
Fig. 20a experiences the highest decrease among the cases investigated.
It should be mentioned that the impact time of the flow with moving
baffles is decreased as the excitation period decreases. Variations of
kinetic energy amplitude versus its frequency for various excitation
periods are illustrated in Figs. 11b, 20b and 20c. The differences be­
tween maximum of kinetic energy amplitudes in presence and absence
of moving baffles for excitation periods of 1.5, 1.35 and 1.23 s are 0.703,
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002

Table 3
Suppression rate of kinetic energy due to using moving baffles as a mitigation
device for various excitation amplitudes.
TKEave,free (J) TKVave,baffle (J) Rate of suppression (%)

F37A50S00T135 1.5400 – 14.56

F37A50S01T135 – 1.3158
F37A75S00T135 2.8100 – 20.50
F37A75S01T135 – 2.2340
F37A100S00T135 3.9600 – 16.33
F37A100S01T135 – 3.3133

Fig. 15. The amounts of normal forces exerted on the left wall of a moving
container undergoing a harmonic excitation in absence/presence of moving
baffles (F37A50S00T135/F37A50S01T135).

Fig. 14. aThe effects of excitation amplitudes on the kinetic energy of liquid
sloshing undergoing a harmonic excitation in absence/presence of moving
baffles.
Fig. 16. The amounts of normal forces exerted on the left wall of a moving
Fig. 14bVariations of kinetic energy amplitude versus frequency
container undergoing a harmonic excitation in absence/presence of moving
(F37A50S00T135/F37A50S01T135).
baffles (F37A100S00T135/F37A100S01T135).
Fig. 14cVariations of kinetic energy amplitude versus frequency
(F37A100S00T135/F37A100S01T135).

11
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002

Fig. 17. Variations of normal force amplitude exerted on the left wall of a Fig. 19. Variations of normal force amplitude exerted on the left wall of a
moving container versus frequency (F37A50S00T135/F37A50S01T135). moving container versus frequency (F37A100S00T135/F37A100S01T135).

period. The effects of excitation periods on the normal forces exerted on

the left wall of a moving container in absence/presence of moving
baffles are presented in Figs. 13, 21 and 22. Based on these figures, the
case with the lowest excitation period exerts the highest initial force on
the left wall of the moving tank at initial times. For all cases investigated,
maximum of force exerted on the tank wall can be decreased well using
the moving baffles in comparison with that of the free sloshing case.
Variations of normal force amplitude exerted on the left wall of a moving
container versus frequency are presented for various excitation periods
in Figs. 18, 23 and 24. Based on these figures, applying moving baffles
can decrease maximum of normal force amplitude for excitation periods
of 1.50, 1.35 and 1.23 s. The differences between maximum of normal
force amplitude in presence and absence of moving baffles for excitation
periods of 1.50, 1.35 and 1.23 s are 1.301, 2.26 and 1.20 N, respectively.
In other words, maximum of normal force amplitude will experience the
highest decrease as the excitation period equals the resonance period (T
= 1.35 s).

3.3.1.2. The filling ratio. The effects of filling ratio on the kinetic energy
of liquid sloshing and forces exerted on the left and right moving baffles
are studied numerically in this section. The filling ratio is supposed to be
20, 25, 32, 37 and 44, 50 and 60% while the rest of parameters are
assumed to be constant. The effects of filling ratio on the kinetic energy
of a moving container undergoing a harmonic excitation are illustrated
Fig. 18. Variations of normal force amplitude exerted on the left wall of a
in Fig. 25a. Based on Fig. 25a, kinetic energy deviations of liquid
moving container versus frequency (F37A75S00T135/F37A75S01T135).
sloshing in absence/presence of moving baffles are minor before t = 0.5
s for all cases investigated. As the time passes, suppression rate of kinetic
0.808 and 0.733 J, respectively. In other words, maximum of kinetic
energy at peak points increases as filling ratio increases. As can be seen
energy amplitude will experience the highest decrease as the excitation
from Fig. 25a, the case with the filling ratio of 60% experiences the most
period equals the resonance period (T = 1.35 s). It should be mentioned
suppression rate of kinetic energy at peak points. Variations of kinetic
that maximum of kinetic energy amplitude occurs at low frequencies for
energy amplitude versus frequency for various filling ratios of 20, 37 and
all excitation periods investigated in this research. To analyze the
50% are illustrated in Figs. 25b, 11b and 25c. The differences between
behavior of the excitation period more precisely, suppression rates of
maximum of kinetic energy amplitudes in presence and absence of
kinetic energy due to using moving baffles as a mitigation device are
moving baffles for filling ratios of 20, 37 and 50% are 0.116, 0.808 and
shown in Table 4. As expected, the highest decrease of the kinetic energy
1.693 J, respectively. In other words, reduction rate of kinetic energy
of liquid sloshing occurs when the tank is excited with the resonance
amplitudes due to using moving baffles increases as the filling ratio is
period. Iranmanesh and Passandideh-Fard (2017) also applied a sub­
increased. To analyze the effects of filling ratio on the kinetic energy of
merged cylinder as a suppression device to mitigate the liquid sloshing
liquid sloshing quantitatively, the suppression rate of kinetic energy for
undergoing a harmonic excitation and it was concluded that the highest
various filling ratios are calculated and compared with each other in
suppression rate occurred when the tank was excited with the resonance
Table 5. Based on Table 5, capability of moving baffles in reducing the

12
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti
(caption on next column)
13
Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002
Fig. 20. aThe effects of excitation periods on the kinetic energy of liquid
sloshing undergoing a harmonic excitation in absence/presence of moving
baffles.
Fig. 20bVariations of kinetic energy amplitude versus frequency
(F37A75S00T150/F37A75S01T150).
Fig. 20cVariations of kinetic energy amplitude versus frequency
(F37A75S00T123/F37A75S01T123).
kinetic energy of liquid sloshing will increase as the filling ratio in­
creases. The amounts of forces exerted on the left and right moving
baffles are illustrated in Figs. 26 and 27 for various filling ratios. Based
on Figs. 26 and 27, the forces exerted on the left and right moving baffles
are minor for low filing ratios (20 and 25%) while the amounts of forces
exerted on the left moving baffle become major for intermediate filling
ratios (32, 37 and 44%). For high filling ratios (50 and 60%), the
amounts of forces acting on the right moving baffle are the highest as
observed in Fig. 27. It should be mentioned that the highest impact
forces on the left and right moving baffles occur for filling ratio of 50%.
3.3.1.3. The spring stiffness. In this section, the effects of the spring
stiffness on both the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing undergoing a
harmonic excitation and normal forces exerted on the tank wall are
studied (Fig. 28). The value of the spring stiffness is supposed to be 1000,
2000 and 3000 N/m while other parameters are kept constant. As shown
in Fig. 28, the effect of the spring stiffness on peak values of kinetic
energy chart is minimum from t = 0 s to t = 1.8 s while the amount of
kinetic energy for the case with K = 1000 N/m increases slightly be­
tween t = 1.8 s and 2.2 s. This time period is exactly the moment that the
flow collides with the right moving baffle. As the time passes, deviation
between the values of kinetic energy for the three cases (K = 1000, 2000
and 3000 N/m) decreases. To investigate the spring stiffness influence
on the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing more exactly, suppression rates
of kinetic energy for the cases studied are calculated and presented in
Table 6. As expected, suppression rates of kinetic energy for the cases
studied are rarely influenced by the spring stiffness. The normal force
values for the cases with various spring stiffnesses are calculated and
compared in Fig. 29. Based on Fig. 29, normal force values exerted on
the tank wall are highly influenced by the spring stiffness. Some peak
values in the normal force for the case with K = 1000 N/m are observed
between t = 0.25 s and 0.85 s in Fig. 29. The increase of the normal force
values can be attributed to the structure oscillations induced by the
sloshing excitation since these oscillations are mostly decreased as the
spring stiffness increases. Although the spring stiffness effect on the ki­
netic energy of liquid sloshing is minor, but the normal force exerted on
the left wall can be highly influenced by the spring stiffness. As can be
seen from Fig. 29, the case with the lowest spring stiffness (K = 1000 N/
m) experiences the highest normal force exerted on the left wall at t =
2.4 s since the fluid flow impacts with the left moving baffle. The normal
force on the left wall will decrease as the spring stiffness is increased at t
= 2.4 s based on Fig. 29. In order to dampen these oscillations, it is
recommended to arrange a damper in parallel with the spring of moving
baffles. Feasibility of reducing the normal force oscillations induced by
the liquid sloshing via arranging a damper in a parallel configuration
with the spring is investigated in section 3.3.1.4. The effects of spring
stiffness on the non-dimensional pressure at points P1 and P2 (shown in
Fig. 7) are investigated in Fig. 30. Based on Fig. 30, non-dimensional
pressure at point P1 is highly influenced by spring stiffness compared
to that at point P2. As the spring stiffness increases, non-dimensional
pressure decreases while the normal force impacting on the moving
baffle increases. In other words, the velocity of horizontal jet induced by
the moving baffle will increase as the spring stiffness increases (Kim
et al., 2018). Therefore, the dynamic pressure will also increase since the
dynamic pressure is proportional to the velocity magnitude. Further­
more, the amounts of non-dimensional pressure at points P1 and P2 for K
= 1000 and 3000 N/m are the highest at t = 2.4 s based on Fig. 30 since
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002

Table 4
Suppression rate of kinetic energy due to using moving baffles as a mitigation
device for various excitation periods.
TKEave,free (J) TKVave,baffle (J) Rate of suppression (%)

F37A75S00T150 2.4531 – 19.87

F37A75S01T150 – 1.9656
F37A75S00T135 2.8100 – 20.50
F37A75S01T135 – 2.2340
F37A75S00T123 2.8086 – 18.06
F37A75S01T123 – 2.3014

Fig. 23. Variations of normal force amplitude exerted on the left wall of a
moving container versus frequency (F37A75S00T150/F37A75S01T150).

Fig. 21. The amounts of normal forces exerted on the left wall of a moving
container undergoing a harmonic excitation in absence/presence of moving
baffles (F37A75S00T150/F37A75S01T150).

Fig. 24. Variations of normal force amplitude exerted on the left wall of a
moving container versus frequency (F37A75S00T123/F37A75S01T123).

the fluid flow impacts with the left moving baffle. As can be seen from
Fig. 30, the amount of non-dimensional pressure at points P1 and P2 will
decrease as the spring stiffness is increased. It should be mentioned that
reduction rate of non-dimensional pressure at point P1 will be higher
than that of point P2 at t = 2.4 s because of its proximity to the left
moving baffle.

3.3.1.4. The effects of damping coefficient on the suppression rate of liquid

Fig. 22. The amounts of normal forces exerted on the left wall of a moving
container undergoing a harmonic excitation in absence/presence of moving
baffles (F37A75S00T123/F37A75S01T123).
sloshing for various spring stiffnesses. As stated in section 3.3.1.3, the
effect of the spring stiffness on the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing was
minor while the amount of normal force exerted on the left wall
increased for the case with low spring stiffness (K = 1000 N/m).
Therefore, feasibility of using a damper in a parallel configuration with
the spring is investigated numerically in this section. The amounts of

14
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002

Fig. 25. aThe effects of filling ratio on the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing undergoing a harmonic excitation in absence/presence of moving baffles.
Fig. 25bVariations of kinetic energy amplitude versus frequency (F20A75S00T135/F20A75S01T135).
Fig. 25cVariations of kinetic energy amplitude versus frequency (F50A75S00T135/F50A75S01T135).

Table 5
Suppression rate of kinetic energy due to using moving baffles as a mitigation
device for various filling ratios.
TKEave,free (J) TKVave,baffle (J) Rate of suppression (%)

F20A75S00T135 0.8394 – 6.05

F20A75S01T135 – 0.7886
F25A75S00T135 1.3360 – 8.82
F25A75S01T135 – 1.2181
F32A75S00T135 2.3307 – 18.08
F32A75S01T135 – 1.9093
F37A75S00T135 2.8100 – 20.50
F37A75S01T135 – 2.2340
F44A75S00T135 3.3721 – 27.61
F44A75S01T135 – 2.4410
F50A75S00T135 3.7531 – 38.81
F50A75S01T135 – 2.2966
F60A75S00T135 4.0058 – 50.95
F60A75S01T135 – 1.9648

normal forces exerted on the left wall of a moving container for the cases
with various damping coefficients are compared with each other in
Fig. 31. As shown in Fig. 31, the normal force oscillations generated via
liquid sloshing are dampened between t = 0.25 s and t = 0.85 s well via
applying a damper. Furthermore, the amounts of normal force exerted
on the left wall decrease as the damping coefficient increases based on Fig. 26. The amounts of forces exerted on the left moving baffle for various
filling ratios.
Fig. 31.

3.3.2. Seismic excitation is investigated numerically. It should be mentioned that only the exci­
In this section, the performance of moving baffles of a rectangular tation type is varied in this section and the rest of parameters are the
tank subjected to a seismic excitation (2018 Sarpol-e Zahab earthquake) same as those presented in section 3.3.1. Time variations of the accel­
eration in the x-direction enforced to the moving tank are presented in

15
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002

Fig. 27. The amounts of forces exerted on the right moving baffle for various
Fig. 29. Comparison of normal forces exerted on the left wall of a moving
filling ratios.
container undergoing a harmonic excitation for the sloshing cases with various
spring stiffnesses.

Fig. 28. The effects of spring stiffness on the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing
undergoing a harmonic excitation in absence/presence of moving baffles
Fig. 30. The effects of spring stiffnesses on the non-dimensional pressure at
(F37A75S00T135/F37A75S01T135).
points P1 and P2.

Table 6 Fig. 32. Kinetic energy of liquid sloshing in a rectangular tank subjected
Suppression rate of kinetic energy due to using moving baffles as a mitigation to the seismic excitation in presence/absence of moving baffles are
device for various spring stiffnesses. compared in Fig. 33. Based on Fig. 33, maximum of kinetic energy can
K = 1000 N/m K = 2000 N/m K = 3000 N/m
be diminished using moving baffles. To analyze the efficiency of moving
baffles in reducing kinetic energy of liquid sloshing quantitatively,
TKEave,free (J) 2.8100
suppression rate of kinetic energy of the rectangular tank due to using
(F37A75S00T135)
moving baffles are presented in Table 7. Based on Table 7, using moving
TKVave,baffle (J) 2.2908 2.2591 2.2340
baffles can suppress the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing by 10%. The
(F37A75S01T135)
Rate of suppression (%) 18.48 19.60 20.50 amounts of normal forces exerted on the left wall of a rectangular
container in presence/absence of moving baffles are shown in Fig. 34.
Based on Fig. 34, moving baffles approximately decrease the maximum
force exerted on the left wall of the container by 62%. It should be
mentioned that the role of moving baffles in decreasing the maximum of

16
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti
Fig. 31. Comparison of normal forces exerted on the left wall of a moving
container undergoing a harmonic excitation for the sloshing cases with various
damping coefficients (K = 1000 N/m).
Fig. 32. Time variations of a seismic acceleration (2018 Sarpol-e Zahab
earthquake) in x-direction.
normal forces exerted on the left wall is more prominent that that of
moving baffles in suppressing the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing of a
rectangular tank subjected to the seismic excitation.
4. Conclusions
In this paper, feasibility of using moving baffles as a mitigation de­
vice to decrease the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing was investigated
using the CEL technique. Firstly, the CEL approach was validated
quantitatively via calculating and comparing the free-surface elevation
on the left side of the tank with those obtained from a CFD approach.
Secondly, liquid sloshing of a moving container undergoing harmonic
and seismic excitations in absence/presence of moving baffles were
simulated using the CEL technique. The top of the rectangular tank was
17
Ocean Engineering 229 (2021) 109002
Fig. 33. Comparison of kinetic energy of liquid sloshing in a rectangular
container subjected to the seismic excitation.
Table 7
Suppression rate of kinetic energy of liquid sloshing in a rectangular container
subjected to the seismic excitation using moving baffles as a mitigation device.
TKEave,free (J) TKVave,baffle (J) Rate of suppression (%)
Seismic excitation 2.8236 2.5343 10.25
Fig. 34. Comparison of normal forces exerted on the left wall of a moving
container undergoing a seismic excitation in absence/presence of mov­
ing baffles.
closed and the value of pressure on the liquid free surface was equal to
atmospheric pressure initially. Furthermore, the position of the spring
system was supposed to be fixed in this research. Next, the effects of
various parameters namely amplitude and frequency of excitation,
filling ratio, spring stiffness and damping coefficient on both the kinetic
energy of liquid sloshing and normal force exerted on the tank wall were
A. Iranmanesh and R. Nikbakhti
studied comprehensively. Experimental results on suppressing liquid
sloshing of cylindrical and spherical containers using moving baffles
were not available in the literature. Therefore, it is recommended to
investigate the feasibility of moving baffles in suppressing liquid slosh­
ing of cylindrical and spherical tanks under various excitations experi­
mentally and numerically as future works. The following conclusions
were finally obtained in the research briefly:
1. The impact velocity for the sloshing case with moving baffles was
increased as the flow collided with the moving baffles initially in
comparison with that of the free sloshing case.
2. The moving baffles suppressed the kinetic energy of liquid sloshing
via two ways: absorbing the kinetic energy of the liquid sloshing via
the spring baffles and the recirculation zones generated in the liquid
domain which dissipated the kinetic energy of the liquid.
3. The impact time of the flow with the moving baffle was decreased as
the excitation amplitude increased.
4. Capability of moving baffles in reducing the kinetic energy of liquid
sloshing would increase as the filling ratio increased.
5. The spring stiffness of moving baffles had a minor effect on the
suppression rate of sloshing kinetic energy.
6. The normal force oscillations generated via liquid sloshing were
dampened well via applying a damper for the sloshing case with low
spring stiffness.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
A. Iranmanesh: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Visu­
alization, Writing – original draft, preparation, Writing – review &
editing, Project administration. R. Nikbakhti: Investigation, Data
curation, Validation, Writing – review & editing.
Declaration of competing interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence
the work reported in this paper.
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