Numerical Analysis of Axisymmetric Supercavitating Flows

Recently submerged objects moving at high speed such as a supercavitating torpedo have been studied for their practical advantage of the dramatic drag reduction. In this study we are focusing our attention on supercavitating flows around axisymmetric cavitators; a numerical method based on inviscid flow is developed and predicted supercavities around several shapes of cavitators are presented. The results are validated by comparison of existing theoretical and empirical results. In addition, characteristic features of supercavity shapes and drag forces acting on the cavitator are evaluated according to practically appropriate operating conditions.