Development of a 1-D Compressible Wave Model for Predicting the Onset of Cavitation in a Piston Driver Assembly.*

The pressure wave dynamics and associated cavitation in a water-filled cylinder are studied experimentally. The use of a double-piston driver and a drop weight facility enables the system loading to be varied between near-constant acceleration and impulsive loading. The pressure in the air-filled volume is varied to enable the onset of cavitation to be induced or suppressed. The piston(s) acceleration is measured via photonic Doppler velocimetry, enabling the loading to be precisely quantified. The resultant wave activity and fluid cavitation are monitored via piezoelectric pressure transducers and direct visualization of liquid interfaces and cavitation onset via high-speed videography. The results are compared to predictions of a one-dimensional compressible wave model.