Computer Vision Analysis of Cavitation Erosion at Propeller Blade Root

This paper presents an experimental approach for investigating erosive cavitation phenomena occurring at the blade root of marine propellers. The primary objective of this work is to develop a method that provides quantitative measurements of the size and dynamics of cavitating structures occurring at the blade root of marine propellers. The selected case study is a four-bladed, controllable-pitch model propeller tested under specific loading and flow conditions. The proposed method combines high-speed video recordings with advanced computer vision techniques to quantify the evolution of the cavitating area as a function of the blade’s angular position. The resulting data provides valuable information on the unsteady behavior of erosive cavitation. Future developments will integrate these measurements with data on the extent and growth rate of surface damage obtained through computer vision and the soft paint technique. By correlating the cavitation flow characteristics with the erosion patterns, the proposed approach will enable a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms driving cavitation damage. The integration of traditional experimental tools with automated vision-based analysis demonstrates strong potential for achieving more detailed, localized, and quantitative assessments of erosive cavitation, paving the way for improved prediction and mitigation strategies.