Numerical study of supercavitating flow around high-speed underwater projectile near different seabed obstacles

Abstract

In this paper, several shape obstacle models are built to observe the characteristics of the cavity around the axisymmetric projectile near different obstacles. Numerical simulations using a detached eddy simulation approach, the Schnerr–Sauer cavitation model, and the olume of fluid method are performed to present details and mechanisms at different distances between the projectile and obstacles (0.5 ≤ h/D ≤ 4). The shape and length of the supercavity are in good agreement with the experimental observation, which guarantees the accuracy of the numerical methods. The study shows that the cavity around the projectile is primarily affected by three key factors: the size and slope of the obstacle and the distance between the projectile and obstacles. At the same distance, the larger the size of the obstacle, the greater the impact on the cavity. At the projectile arrival stage, the smaller the slope of the obstacle edge, the lesser the damage it will cause to the cavity. However, at the projectile leaving stage, the small slope will hinder the regeneration of the cavity. As the distance increases, the impact of obstacles on cavitation gradually decreases.