Numerical simulation of impact forces by a falling sphere in air using ALE finite element method

ABSTRACT

A numerical method is developed to simulate the process that a falling rigid sphere hits rigid ground and bounces back in air. The problem is treated as fluid-structure interaction problem based on the ALE finite element flow analysis. In order to introduce the numerical process of impact into the present staggered fluid-structure time marching algorithm, the impact force is applied to the equation of motion of the sphere. The magnitude of the impact force is determined by iteration so that the velocity of the sphere after impact converges to zero. Application of the impact force at a single time instant causes unphysical pressure oscillation. This has been suppressed by applying the impact force smoothly over multiple short time steps. In the present method impulse is evaluated instead of impact force. Computations with different density ratio of the sphere to air showed effect of the air on the sphere motion.