A Comparison of One‐Way and Two‐Way Coupling Methods for Numerical Analysis of Fluid‐Structure Interactions

TLDR

Fluid–structure interaction problems arise in many engineering applications and are typically solved numerically using continuum‑mechanics models, but their complex geometries and physics make them computationally demanding. The study aims to reduce computational effort by exploring how the description of fluid–solid interaction can be optimized. The authors compare one‑way and two‑way coupling approaches across various problems, explain the solution strategy for each, and identify conditions under which one‑way coupling yields acceptable results.

Abstract

The interaction between fluid and structure occurs in a wide range of engineering problems. The solution for such problems is based on the relations of continuum mechanics and is mostly solved with numerical methods. It is a computational challenge to solve such problems because of the complex geometries, intricate physics of fluids, and complicated fluid‐structure interactions. The way in which the interaction between fluid and solid is described gives the largest opportunity for reducing the computational effort. One possibility for reducing the computational effort of fluid‐structure simulations is the use of one‐way coupled simulations. In this paper, different problems are investigated with one‐way and two‐way coupled methods. After an explanation of the solution strategy for both models, a closer look at the differences between these methods will be provided, and it will be shown under what conditions a one‐way coupling solution gives plausible results.