The Particle Finite Element Method: An efficient method to solve CFD problems with free-surfaces and breaking waves

We present a general formulation for analysis of fluid-structure interaction problems using the particle finite element method (PFEM). The key feature of the PFEM is the use of an updated Lagrangian description to model the motion of nodes (particles) in both the fluid and the structure domains. Nodes are viewed as material points (called particles) which can freely move and even separate from the main analysis domain representing, for instance, the effect of water drops. A mesh connects the nodes defining the discretized domain where the governing equations, expressed in an integral from, are solved as in the standard FEM. An incremental iterative scheme for the solution of the non linear transient coupled fluid-structure problem is described. Examples of application of the PFEM to solve a number of fluid-structure interaction problems involving large motions of the free surface and splashing of waves are presented