RESEARCH ON LIQUID SLOSHING EFFECT IN TANKER TRUCKS USING COSIMULATION

Abstract

This research investigates the fluid dynamic phenomena associated with the liquid sloshing effect within tanker trucks, which can induce instability during vehicular motion, thereby elevating the risk of accidents and environmental contamination. The study employs a coupled simulation methodology integrating Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and Simcenter Amesim through a co-simulation framework. STAR-CCM+ utilizes the Volume of Fluid (VOF) approach to model the free-surface flow of the liquid, while Amesim simulates the vehicle's mechanical subsystems, including suspension dynamics and overall kinematic behavior. Data exchange between the two environments is facilitated in real-time via the COSIM NETWORKS protocol, with STAR-CCM+ providing forces and moments generated by the liquid sloshing, which then fed to Amesim to update the vehicle's position and velocity. The simulation results show the impact of vehicle speed on stability characteristics during traversal of a sinusoidally varying road profile. The findings support the effectiveness of the co-simulation approach in multi-physics analysis, offering a robust framework for optimizing tanker truck design and enhancing transportation safety.