A finite-element computation for the sloshing motion in LNG tank

A numerical simulation in time domain is made to calculate the impact pressure due to sloshing motion in a membrane-type LNG tank. A new finite-element method based on stream-function theory is developed to resolve the impact pressure highly localized in space and time. Emphasis is made to the impact pressure at the low filling level, which is one of the greatest concern accompanied by the recent demand for the operation of LNG carrier in 'any filling level'. Numerical results show good correlation with the experimental results. The consequences of the large impact pressure observed at the low filling level are also discussed.