A numerical solution of axisymmetric cavity flows

Abstract

In the first part of the paper a method is developed for the relaxation or numerical solution of axisymmetric fully cavitating flows. Employing the technique suggested in a paper by Woods (1951 a) of working in a transformed (ϕ ϕ)-plane, solutions are obtained for cavities behind a disk and a sphere in different sizes of solid wall tunnel. Under certain conditions flow ‘choking’ occurs. The results of a series of experiments carried out with such headforms are then reported. The apparent viscous effect on the position of separation from the sphere and thus on the drag proves to be of particular interest.