Finite element analysis of sloshing and hydroelastic vibrations under gravity

This paper deals with a finite element method to solve fluid-structure interaction problems. More precisely it concerns the numerical computation of harmonic hydroelastic vibrations under gravity. It is based on a displacement formulation for both the fluid and the solid. Gravity effects are included on the free surface of the fluid as well as on the liquid-solid interface. The pressure of the fluid is used as a variable for the theoretical analysis leading to a well posed mixed linear eigenvalue problem. Lowest order triangular Raviart-Thomas elements are used for the fluid and classical piecewise linear elements for the solid. Transmission conditions at the fluid-solid interface are taken into account in a weak sense yielding a non conforming discretization. The method does not present spurious or circulation modes for nonzero frequencies. Convergence is proved and optimal error estimates are given. Finally, numerical results are shown.