Propeller cavitation causes noise, vibration and erosion.

Every problem in noise and vibration control consists of three basic elements: a source, a transmission path and a receiver. These three elements do not necessarily act independently. To understand a complex noise problem successfully a comprehensive view in combination with expert knowledge is therefore necessary. SSPA offers computations, measurements, advisory and design support for merchant ships as well as naval vessels and underwater vehicles.

For a merchant vessel vibration and risk of erosion on propeller and rudder has to be balanced against propulsion efficiency. For other types such as naval and research vessels the hydro acoustic performance is very important.

SSPAs large cavitation tunnel provides optimum conditions when investigating cavitation performance, pressure pulses, erosion, flow phenomena, hydroacoustics etc.

Areas of engagement are for example:

• Analysis and verification of cavitation performance and pressure pulses
• Erosion prediction by paint tests and high speed video
• Flow observations
• Analysis of propeller singing
• Propulsor induced noise and vibrations
• Interior ship noise
• Flow induced noise and vibration
• Field measurements