Numerical study of the cavitating flows over underwater vehicle with large angle of attack

A Homogenous-Equilibrium-Model based cavitation code was developed to numerically analyze the three-dimensional cavitating flows over underwater vehicle navigating with large angle of attack. RayleighPlesset equation based cavitation model was used together with non-linear eddy-viscosity turbulence model. The computed cavity shapes and pressure distributions along the vehicle body were found to generally accord with experimental results at different cavitation numbers and angles of attack. The forces acting on the vehicle body was studied qualitatively to explain why the body may get damaged during navigation. It was also discovered interestingly that, the variation trend of drag force along with cavitation number at the conditions of large angle was completely opposite to that at zero angle.