Partitioned Fluid-Structure Interaction Methods

Abstract

In the previous chapters, we formulated the finite element discretization of the fluid-structure interaction equations and looked into the monolithic type of coupling methods. An essential requirement of such a coupled system is the accurate description of the fluid–structure interface. In the monolithic technique, this feature is naturally taken care by the formulation as the dynamic equilibrium is easily satisfied. In this chapter, we look into the treatment of the fluid-structure interface and interface conditions for partitioned type of methods. While partitioning refers to the decomposition into the fluid and structural subdomains at a given time level, staggering is the sequence in which time integration is carried out along the interface between the subdomains, by satisfying the kinematic and dynamic equilibrium conditions at the interface.