Simple analytical method for predicting the sloshing motion in a rectangular pool

Abstract

Predicting the sloshing motion of a coolant during a seismic assessment of a rectangular spent fuel pool is of critical concern. Linear theory, which provides a simple analytical method, has been used to predict the sloshing motion in rectangular pools and tanks. However, this theory is not suitable for the high-frequency excitation problem. In this study, the authors developed a simple analytical method for predicting the sloshing motion in a rectangular pool for a wide range of excitation frequencies. The correlation among the linear theory parameters, influencing on excitation and convective waves, and the excitation frequency is investigated. Sloshing waves in a rectangular pool with several liquid heights are predicted using the original linear theory, a modified linear theory and computational fluid dynamics analysis. The results demonstrate that the developed method can predict sloshing motion over a wide range of excitation frequencies. However, the developed method has the limitations of linear solutions since it neglects the nonlinear features of sloshing motion. Despite these limitations, the authors believe that the developed method can be useful as a simple analytical method for predicting the sloshing motion in a rectangular pool under various external excitations. Keywords: Sloshing, Seismic evaluation, Spent fuel pool, Linear theory, Computational fluid dynamics