SPH simulations of sloshing flows close to the critical depth

In the present paper, the sloshing flow in a squared L × L tank is investigated with both experimental and numerical approaches. The filling depth chosen is h/L = 0.35 which is close to the critical depth h/L = 0.3374. The experimental tank has a breadth of 0.1L such reducing three-dimensional effects. Hiresolution digital camera and capacitance wave probes are used for time recording of the wave height. By varying the oscillation period and the amplitude of the imposed sway motion of the tank, several scenarios in terms of free surface evolution are identified. Periodic and quasi-periodic regimes are found for the most part of the analysed frequencies but, among them, sub-harmonic regimes are also identified. Energetic chaotic regimes are found at larger amplitude motion. For the numerical investigation an advanced and well-established Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method is used to help the comprehension of the physical phenomena involved and to extend the range of frequencies experimentally investigated.