EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF 2-DIMENSIONAL AND 3-DIMENSIONAL NUMERICAL-ANALYSIS OF PARTIALLY CAVITATING HYDROFOILS

This paper presents an original panel method to treat partially cavita ting two- and three-dimensional hydrofoil problems. The method uses a velocity-based boundary element method (VBEM) but its originality lies in the deformation process. Indeed, the cavitation number is imposed, and the cavity shape is calculated in the course of iterations (free cavity length method). In fact, considering the boundary layers, a nor mal velocity is observed on the cavity surface which supplies the new stream-surface shape. For any imposed closure condition, the cavity sh ape (thickness and length) is adapted in such a way that it closes on the hydrofoil. The use of parabolic dipoles, constant source (panel me thod minimization process) allows a good description of the pressure f ield. The two- and three-dimensional results obtained are compared wit h experimental measurements and also with the results of earlier forme r methods.