LAUSR

The propeller design process is influenced by a strong demand to reduce vibrations and underwater noise while improving propulsion efficiency at the same time. Therefore, an accurate cavitation prediction is mandatory, which is based on a precise prognosis of the full-scale wake field. Due to the enormous experimental effort of full-scale measurements, current calculation and prognosis algorithms are not validated sufficiently with real data sets. Against this background, particle imaging velocimetry was used in the joint research and development project KonKav II to determine a full-scale wake flow for the first time. The noninvasive technique delivered reliable velocity data sets. The comparison with CFD calculations revealed interesting insights about the width of the wake peak and indicated simulation as well as measurement accuracies. The results can contribute to better cavitation prediction algorithms and encourage further comparative investigations of vessels with different stern sections and propulsion systems.