How do I model a fluid filled sphere embedded in a cube which is subjected to external pressure?
This is illustrated with an analysis where a fluid filled spherical cavity is enclosed in a cube which is subjected to uniform external pressure. Because symmetry about the 3 axes only an eigth of the model needs to be considered. The fluid which is fully enclosed is represented by the surface and competely defined by the elements on the surface. These are membrane like elements made out of 3 and 4 noded elements (F3D3 and F3D4 respectively). The nodes on the surface is common to the fluid and the surrounding media. Fluid Sphere Finite Element Mesh Figure shows the mesh. In this example the fluid is modelled using 3 F3D4 elements. The nodes should be entered in the element definition so that positive normal to the surface using the Right hand rule should be pointing towards the fluid side of the mesh ie the interior of the fluid.
