Cavity dynamics of water entry for spheres and ballistic projectiles

The free surface impact of solid objects has been investigated for well over a century. This canonical problem has many facets that may be studied: object geometry, surface treatment, and diameter; impact speed and angle; and fluid viscosity and surface tension. The problem is further enriched with the consideration of varying mass ratios and rotational velocities. This thesis uses advanced high-speed imaging and visualization techniques to discover underlying physics and further our understanding of these phenomena through improvements to analytical solutions describing criterion such as cavity formation, depth of deep seal, and trajectory for all impact parameters studied. The topic is extended to the impact of high-speed projectiles or bullets. Through experimentation the trajectory, cavity size, and forces acting on the projectiles are elucidated. Experimentation coupled with improvements to an existing cavitation model lead to an improved bullet design that forms a narrower cavity and achieves higher speeds. Industrial applications include ship slamming, extreme waves and weather on oil platforms, sprayed adhesives, paint aerosols and ink jet printing. In the field of naval hydrodynamics there is particular interest as these problems relate to the study of the water entry of mines and bullets, and the underwater launching of torpedos and missiles. Physical insight can also be applied to sports performance research relating to the water entry of athletes, reducing drag of swimmers near the free surface, decreasing cavity formation for divers, and the entry and exit of oars in rowing.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Truscott, Tadd Trevor

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Alexandra H. Techet.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/50584

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/50584