Research

Cavitation Collapse

The collapse of a bubble underwater doesn’t seem like a very important matter, but when it happens near a solid surface, like part of a ship, it can be incredibly destructive. This video, featuring numerical simulations of the bubble’s collapse, shows why. 

When near a surface, the bubble’s collapse is asymmetric, and this asymmetry creates a powerful jet that pushes through the bubble and impacts the opposite side. That impact generates a shock wave that travels out toward the wall. As the bubble hits its minimum volume, a second shock front is generated. Both shock waves travel toward the wall and reflect off it, generating high pressure all along the surface. (Image and video credit: S. Beig and E. Johnson)

2 comments
  1. Giovanni

    Hi,
    firstly congratulation for the video and the explanation. Secondly I would like to know what type of software did you use to create this amazing animation.
    Thanks in advance,
    Giovanni Tauro

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