Numerical investigation of the interaction between a ventilated supercavity and free surface waves at high Froude numbers

Ventilated supercavitation is a hydrodynamic phenomenon where injected air forms a large bubble around a high-speed submerged body, reducing drag to enhance its movement. The study of cavitating flows is crucial near the free surface due to significant interactions between the supercavity and surface waves. In this study, the behavior of the ventilated supercavity and free surface waves at high Froude numbers and varying submersion depths has been investigated using a numerical simulation approach. The accuracy of the predicted results is verified by comparing them with the available experimental data. The results indicate that the supercavity size is simultaneously affected by submersion depth and Froude number. Additionally, as the Froude number increases, the submersion depth at which the free surface effect on the supercavity shape becomes negligible also increases. Moreover, near the free surface, unlike in fully submerged conditions, the supercavity length increases with depth. The results also show that three types of free surface wave patterns are formed, depending on the intensity of the first and second wave systems.