Numerical simulation of air layer morphology on flat bottom plate with air cavity and evaluation of the drag reduction effect

To investigate the morphology characteristics of air layer in the air cavity, a numerical method with the combination of RANS equations and VOF two-phase-flow model is proposed for a plate with air cavity. Based on the model above, the dynamic and developmental process of air layer in the air cavity is studied. Numerical results indicate that the air layer in the plate's air cavity exhibits the dynamic state of morphology and the wavelength of air layer becomes larger with the increasing speed. The morphology of air layer agrees with the Froude similarity law and the formation of the air layer is not affected by the parameters of the cavity, however, the wave pattern of the air layer is influenced by the parameters of the cavity. The stable air layer under the air cavity is important for the resistance reduction for the air layer drag reduction. (C) 2018 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Society of Naval Architects of Korea.