Coupled Dynamics in Fluid-Structure Interaction Systems: A Review of Analytical and Computational Models

Abstract

Abstract: Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) systems embody the complex, coupled behavior between deformable or flexible structures and surrounding fluid flows. This interaction is inherently nonlinear and dynamic, posing significant challenges in modelling, simulation, and analysis. Understanding and accurately predicting the behavior of FSI systems is critical across a broad spectrum of engineering applications, including aerospace structures undergoing aeroelastic effects, underwater vehicles interacting with fluid currents, biomedical devices, such as heart valves or stents, and civil structures, subject to wind or wave loading. This review presents a comprehensive and systematic overview of both analytical and computational modelling approaches developed to address FSI problems. Analytical methods, while limited to simplified geometries and assumptions of linearity, provide valuable insight into fundamental FSI phenomena and are often used for preliminary analysis or validation purposes. These include classical beam and plate theories, modal analysis, and perturbation techniques. On the other hand, computational approaches – particularly those based on the finite element method (FEM), finite volume method (FVM), and coupled solvers – enable the detailed simulation of complex geometries, nonlinear deformations, and transient fluid dynamics. Both partitioned and monolithic schemes are explored in depth, highlighting their respective advantages and computational considerations. The review also emphasizes recent advancements in high-fidelity numerical methods, adaptive mesh strategies, reduced-order modeling, and the incorporation of machine learning techniques for real-time prediction and optimization. Special attention is given to emerging trends such as multi-physics coupling, scalable parallel computing, and data-driven hybrid modelling strategies. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in ensuring numerical stability, mesh integrity, and physical accuracy, particularly in strongly coupled or turbulent regimes.

Keywords: Fluid-structure interaction, coupled dynamics, computational modelling, analytical methods, numerical simulation, multi-physics systems