Comparison between two approaches to simulate the mass loss in cavitation erosion

To carry on with physical approaches and numerical simulations proposed in previous works [Fortes, 1998a, 1998b, 2000, 2001] [Choffat 2003], a simulation tool has been performed in order to evaluate, from pitting tests, the erosion (mass loss) of materials exposed to cavitating flows. The numerical tool applies models proposed by [Karimi, 1987] and [Reboud, 2001]. The first model consists in a static one-dimensional approach based on work-hardening of the materials. The second implemented model includes fatigue criterion and represents a dynamic 2D axisymmetric approach. The code simulates, from a given pit distribution obtained by experimental tests, cavitation impacts on the solid samples and predicts material damage. Based on experimental data supplied by EdF-R&D (Electricité de France), a first application example of the models was carried out in order to illustrate the procedure and compare models. A qualitative analysis was done and an influence study of simulation parameters on quantitative results are in progress to better evaluate physical approaches. More experimental results concerning metallurgical and dynamic solid characterization, as well as coupled cavitation mark and erosion tests are required in order to validate and calibrate proposed models