Development of a Numerical Framework for Simulation of Aquaculture Systems

A new integrated numerical framework is developed for simulating the fluid-structure interaction of aquaculture systems. The framework is based on our previous OpenFOAM formulation 1, while being coupled with a lumped mass-mooring model, MoorDyn 2, and a finite-element structural solver, EndoBeams 3. Turbulent flow effects are dealt with using an incompressible fluid solver with a volume of fluid surface capturing method. The motion and deformation of the flexible nets are calculated using the screen and mass-spring methods. MoorDyn is used for simulating mooring lines while EndoBeams are used to calculate the deformation of other components of the aquaculture system, such as collars and frames. The coupling of all the components follows a loose-coupling method. The immersed boundary method is employed for the interactions between the fluid and all components of the aquaculture system. Fluid particle dynamics is also modelled using the Eulerian-Lagrangian to simulate fish disease waterborne transmission within aquaculture system area. The framework has been validated with extensive experimental data from the literature and is demonstrated as a robust tool to simulate the complex fluid-structure-particle dynamics of aquaculture systems.