Fluid structure interaction simulations of arbitrary-shaped particles settling on a flat surface*

Fluid structure interaction (FSI) of particles settling on a flat surface in a viscous fluid is simulated using a sharp-interface curvilinear immersed boundary (CURVIB) method. The dynamics of particles after the collision with the flat surface is governed by the conservation of angular and linear momentum, which are written with respect to the contact point (the instantaneous center of rotation) until a stable position is attained. A simple model based on the Stokes drag and damping is proposed to represent the FSI trend with varying Reynolds Numbers. The arbitrary-shaped particles tested include cube, ellipsoid, cylinder, pyramid, and irregular shape. The accuracy of the simple model and the conditions for rebound from the flat surface are discussed.