A method for the accurate numerical prediction of the tip vortices shed from hydofoils

Abstract

The possibly accurate numerical prediction of the detailed structure of vortices shed from the tips of hydrofoils is an important element of the design process of marine propellers. The concentrated tip vortices are responsible for the propeller cavitation erosion and acoustic emission. The purpose of the project described in this paper was to develop the numerical method for prediction of the tip vortex structure. In the course of the project the numerical calculations were confronted with the results of experimental measurements. This led to creation of the specific method of construction of the computational grid and to selection of the optimum turbulence model. As a result the reliable method for the accurate numerical prediction of the concentrated tip vortices for different hydrofoil geometry and flow conditions has been developed and validated. This method enables elimination of the unfavourable phenomena related to the tip vortices in the course of the propeller design calculations.