Computational Analysis of Unsteady Cavitation on a Three-dimensional Twisted Hydrofoil

Abstract

Unsteady sheet cavitation on a three-dimensional twisted hydrofoil was studied using the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulation based on a cell-centered finite volume method. As a verification test of the computational method, the leading edge cavitating flows over a two-dimensional modified NACA66 foil section were simulated for various cavitation numbers and validated against existing experimental data. The cavitation model parameters and numerical schemes were determined by comparison with measured pressure distribution. Non-cavitating and cavitating flows around a three-dimensional twisted hydrofoil were simulated with the selected computational methods. The computed pressure on the foil and the cavity shedding patterns were validated by comparing with existing experimental data. The cavity shedding dynamics by re-entrant jet and side entrant jet were investigated for the cavity shedding cycles. The computed lift force and Strouhal number were compared against existing experimental data.