Particle-Mesh Coupling in the Interaction between Fluid and Flexible Thin Structure

• Grant number: 25/23240-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Structural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Rubens Augusto Amaro Junior
• Grantee: André Yudi Kanzaki Oliveira
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project proposes the coupling of the moving particle semi-implicit (MPS) method with a nonlinear structural shell model, based on the finite element method (FEM), to model and simulate phenomena involving fluid-structure interactions (FSI) in free-surface flow. We will adopt the MPS method for the fluid domain and the shell model for the flexible structure domain. We will adopt the explicitly represented polygon (ERP) model, which can handle complex-shaped solid surfaces and domains of different spatial resolutions, for the particle-mesh interaction. The applicant will implement the coupling between two distinct solvers, MPS-TPN/USP and Giraffe, both developed by research groups at the Polytechnic School of USP, and will conduct convergence and validation studies of the coupling. The applicant is expected to acquire knowledge of modeling, simulation, and analysis of the dynamics of fluid-structure interactions. The project will be an important step in the development of an original tool, since we did not find in the literature a coupled model based on a semi-implicit particle-based method and FEM using the ERP approach. (AU)