A Boundary Element Method for the Computation of Unsteady Sheet Cavitation Effects in Marine Propeller Flows

This paper focuses on the modelling and simulation of unsteady sheet cavitation in marine propeller flows. In the first part of the paper, the mathematical model based on potential flow theory is introduced and the numerical scheme is derived. The novelty of the presented calculation method refers to the unsteady partial sheet cavitation model which has been implemented into the in-house panel code panMARE [1]. Cavitation is a physical effect where the pressure in the flow falls below the vapour pressure such that a vapour region develops on propeller blades. Cavitation has a significant influence on propeller’s performance and can cause material damages, noise and vibrations on the ship hull. In the second part of the paper the capabilities of the developed sheet cavitation model are demonstrated by numerical studies on a threedimensional foil as well as on a marine propeller flow.