Numerical Versus Experimental Cavitation Tunnel (A Supercavitating Hydrofoil Experiment)

Abstract

A supercavitating hydrofoil experiment is performed at the MIT Variable Pressure water tunnel, at several angles of attack and cavitation numbers. The velocity is measured on a rectangular contour surrounding the foil and cavity as well as in the vicinity of the cavity surface. The measurements are compared to the predicted results from a nonlinear cavity analysis method in which the effects of the tunnel walls are included via images. Forces are inferred from momentum integrations of the measured velocities and compared to those predicted from the analysis.