Application of quadratic and cubic turbulence models on cavitating flows around submerged objects

Quadratic and cubic Non-Linear Eddy-Viscosity Models (NLEVMs) at low Reynolds number (Re) correction were introduced into the present Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) framework, to provide better numerical treatment about the anisotropic turbulence stress in cavitating flows, which have large density ratio and large-scaled swirling flow structures. The applications of these NLEVMs were carried out through a self-developed cavitation code, coupled with a cavitation model based on the transport equation of liquid phase. These NLEVMs were firstly validated by the benchmark of disk supercavity, and found able to obtain more accurate capture of the hydrodynamic properties than the linear models. One of such models was further applied on the cavitation problem of submerged vehicles. Ultimately, the supercavitating flows around an especially designed underwater vehicle were predicted using the cubic k - ɛ turbulence model, and its cavitation behaviors were studied.