Method for the assessment of the cavitation performance of marine propellers

Article type: Research Article

Authors: van Oossanen, P.

Affiliations: Netherlands Ship Model Basin, Wageningen, The Netherlands

Abstract: In this paper a method is given for the assessment of cavitation inception, for the calculation of the type and extent of cavitation and for the calculation of the effect of cavitation on lift and drag. A boundary layer analysis of experimental results of cavitation studies on hydrofoils indicates that cavitation inception occurs in the laminar-turbulent transition region of the boundary layer. This fact is used to derive an approximate relation for the inception location and for the corresponding value of the cavitation number. Results of cavitation studies on hydrofoils are also used to derive a relation for the type and chordwise extent of cavitation and for the assessment of the influence of cavitation on lift and drag. The validity of these relations are demonstrated by comparing theoretical and experimental results for the case of marine propellers.

DOI: 10.3233/ISP-1975-2224501

Journal: International Shipbuilding Progress, vol. 22, no. 245, pp. 3-33, 1975