# Wave Impact in a Rectangular Tank - CFD Simulation Source: https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact Last updated: 2026-10-03 [Video](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/images/wave-impact.mp4) ## Introduction In this article, we will validate **SimFlow** against a wave impact problem in a rectangular narrow tank as proposed by [\[SPHERIC Community\]](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact#sperhic-community). The time history of the motion of the tank as well as the pressure measured at the given locations are provided. By comparing the pressure values from **SimFlow**, we are able to demonstrate the high accuracy of our CFD software in predicting the sloshing phenomena. In the article by [\[SPHERIC Problem\]](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact#spheric-benchmark), water and oil fluids were considered. Here, we only limit our study to water, but because of the high Reynolds number (97546), the flow is turbulent, which is more challenging than the case with oil (the Reynolds number of 1748 - resulting in the laminar case). ## Definition of the experiment The geometry of the tank is shown in [Figure 1](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact#fig-tank-dimensions). The thickness of the tank in the z direction is 62mm. But the setup allows changing the tank thickness to 31mm and 124mm in order to study 2D and 3D effects. In our investigation, we only considered the test case with the baseline thickness of 62mm. The water level was 93mm, which corresponds to the Sensor 1 location. The tank can rotate around the z axis, around the central point marked with the red dot in [Figure 1](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact#fig-tank-dimensions). The roll angle history change is given to replicate the tank motion. Additionally, the videos and pressure measurements from the test series are provided by [\[SPHERIC Problem\]](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact#spheric-benchmark). This test case focuses on the impact event, which is the first pressure peak. The physical properties of water are given in [Table 1](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact#tab-properites). ![image4](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/images/wave-impact/image4.png) Figure 1. Tank dimensions and sensor position (source: [\[SPHERIC Problem\]](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact#spheric-benchmark)) Physical properties of water: \(\rho\) for density, \(\mu\) for the dynamic viscosity, \(\nu\) for the kinematic viscosity, \(\sigma\) for surface tension | \(\rho[{kg}/m^3]\) | \(\nu [m^2/s]\) | \(\mu [Pa\ \cdot s]\) | \(\sigma [N/m]\) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 998 | \(1.0 \cdot 10^{-6}\) | \(1.0 \cdot 10^{-3}\) | 0.0728 | ## Numerical model The numerical domain is a box with dimensions corresponding to the tank geometry. The hex mesh was created by means of the **blockMesh** utility, which is integrated into **SimFlow**. The mesh is presented in [Figure 2](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact#fig-mesh-general-view) and [Figure 3](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact#fig-mesh-general-view2). The total number of elements used in this study equals 396 000. Mesh convergence studies were conducted to examine the optimum mesh size. Additionally, the numerical set-up of the model was also investigated. The motion of the tank was defined by means of the dynamic mesh capabilities of **SimFlow**. The rotation around the z axis was defined, and the angular velocity defined based on the test data provided by [\[SPHERIC Benchmark Data\]](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact#spheric-data). The pressure sensor was realized by means of a moving probe which followed the motion of the dynamic mesh. ![image6](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/images/wave-impact/image6.png) Figure 2. Mesh of the water tank - general view ![image2](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/images/wave-impact/image2.png) Figure 3. Mesh of the water tank - general view The boundary conditions are set to wall for all boundaries of the domain. The rotational mesh motion was defined according to the test data, which is shown in [Figure 4](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact#fig-anuglar-velocity). ![image5](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/images/wave-impact/image5.png) Figure 4. Profile of angular velocity of the water tank ## Results The pressure measurements from the test are compared to **SimFlow** results in [Figure 5](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact#fig-pressure-mesure). Several observations should be made. Firstly, the timing of each pressure peak is captured perfectly by **SimFlow**. In the further part of this article, we will additionally plot pictures from the test and simulation to show the water movement in the tank. Secondly, the pressure value for the first peak is captured very well. For the second to fourth peaks, we can observe a small deviation from the experimental data. However, the difference is relatively small. Moreover, during the mesh convergence studies, it was observed that the difference becomes smaller with further mesh refinement. For this study, the optimum mesh size was chosen to provide accurate results in a relatively short period of time. ![image3](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/images/wave-impact/image3.png) Figure 5. Lateral water case, pressure measurements at sensor 1 - 93mm Below we present the movie that compares the motion of the tank in the test versus simulation results for the 8s of the motion. It should be noted that the dynamics of the water is captured accurately together with the shape of the waves that are created in the tank. Comparison of experiment and simulation results [Video](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/images/wave-impact/results-comparison.mp4) ## Summary **SimFlow** was used to perform a multiphase simulation based on the lateral water tank test carried out by [\[SPHERIC Community\]](https://help.sim-flow.com/validation/wave-impact#sperhic-community). The high accuracy of **SimFlow** was proved by capturing water movement inside the tank. The pressure measurements of the test and the numerical predictions are very close to each other. Multiphase simulations including two or more phases are often found in different branches of industry, including: automotive, power generation, chemical industry, food industry, environment, and even medicine (blood flow). With the proven high accuracy of **SimFlow**, the CFD software can be an inestimable tool in the development process, resulting in cost reduction and focusing on the best performance of the final products. ## Literature - [Botia-Vera et al.] Botia-Vera, E, Souto-Iglesias, A., Bulian, G. & Lobovsky, L., "Three SPH Novel Benchmark Test Cases for free surface flows" - [SPHERIC Problem] Sloshing Wave impact problem: [https://spheric-sph.org/tests/test-10](https://spheric-sph.org/tests/test-10) - [SPHERIC Benchmark Data] Benchmark Data: [http://canal.etsin.upm.es/ftp/SPHERIC_BENCHMARKS/](http://canal.etsin.upm.es/ftp/SPHERIC_BENCHMARKS/) - [SPHERIC Community] [https://spheric-sph.org/](https://spheric-sph.org/)