Possibility of Quantitative Prediction of Cavitation Erosion Without Model Test

Abstract

A scenario for quantitative prediction of cavitation erosion was proposed. The key value is the impact force/pressure spectrum on a solid surface caused by cavitation bubble collapse. As the first step of prediction, the authors constructed the scenario from an estimation of the cavity generation rate to the prediction of impact force spectrum, including the estimations of collapsing cavity number and impact pressure. The prediction was compared with measurements of impact force spectra on a partially cavitating hydrofoil. A good quantitative agreement was obtained between the prediction and the experiment. However, the present method predicted a larger effect of main flow velocity than that observed. The present scenario is promising as a method of predicting erosion without using a model test.