Experiment and viscous flow analysis on a partially cavitating hydrofoil

Abstract

A partially cavitating hydrofoil experiment is performed at the MIT Variable Pressure Water Tunnel. Velocities are measured along a rectangular control surface surrounding the hydrofoil, in the boundary layer region, as well as in the proximity of the cavity surface. The cavity detachment and reattachment points are measured for several values of the cavitation number. The forces are evaluated from the measured velocities via momentum flux integrations. The measurements are compared with the numerical results from a nonlinear, inviscid cavity flow analysis method, coupled with a boundary layer solver.