Cavitation and transients in a distributor

Principia simulated the effects of the sudden depressurization of a distributor that occurred during pressure testing at a hydroelectric plant. The ensuing negative water-hammer caused cavitation and separation of water columns, followed by implosion of the bubbles formed.

The coupled calculations must include the interaction of the structure with the liquid and the vapour. It is worth noting that Principia analysed the problem in the absence of any information about the results of the accident, but the calculations predicted accurately the actual observations.