Objectives  This paper applies Moving Particle Semi-implicit (MPS) method to solve the sloshing problem of horizontal cylindrical tank, so as to study the influence of excitation frequency on sloshing phenomenon under single freedom degree sloshing excitation.

  Methods  Based on the improved MPS method and GPU parallel acceleration technology, our group developed the meshless particle method solver MPSGPU-SJTU and applied the solver to the sloshing problem in a three-dimensional cylindrical tank. Firstly, the model is verified and the sloshing phenomenon is simulated when the excitation frequency is the first order natural frequency. Based on this, the sloshing phenomenon under different excitation frequencies is calculated. The simulated excitation frequency of 1.2 Hz is compared to the test results. Finally, the sloshing movement of cylindrical tank is simulated under different excitation frequencies.

  Results  The results show that MPSGPU-SJTU solver can excellently simulate the liquid sloshing phenomenon in the cylindrical tank, and can also accurately calculate the force on the tank. When the excitation frequency is near the natural frequency, the sloshing phenomenon is very severe. When the excitation frequency is far from the natural frequency, the sloshing will weaken rapidly and the force on the tank will decrease rapidly.

  Conclusions  The simulation results can provide valuable reference for the design and application of cylindrical tanks.