  Although there have been extensive experimental and computational
investigations in characterizing cavitation phenomenon in both diesel and
gasoline direct injectors, much is still unknown about the mechanisms driving
cavitation-induced erosion, and how this complicated fluid-structure
interaction should be modeled. To explore current modeling capabilities, a
numerical investigation was conducted within the CONVERGE modeling framework to
assess proposed cavitation erosion metrics in the literature, and their link to
the predicted cavitation cloud collapse mechanism. The multiphase flow within
the Winklhofer Throttle U geometry was modeled using a compressible mixture
model, where phase change was represented using the Homogeneous Relaxation
Model (HRM) and the turbulent flow evolution was modeled using a dynamic
structure approach for Large Eddy Simulations (LES). After comparing the model
predictions against available experimental data, representative condensation
events and potential cavitation erosion sites were identified. The cavitation
cloud structures responsible for potential material damage were visualized
through the evolution of the vorticity field. For the modeled throttle
geometry, it was found that the horseshoe cloud implosion mechanism was
predicted to occur and generate excessive impact loads at the throttle
boundary.
