Damage Effect of a Multi-cabin Structure Under Near-field Underwater Explosion

Abstract

Studying the damage effects of multi-cabin structures (MCS) subjected to underwater explosions holds immense significance for ship protection. Employing a combined experimental and numerical simulation approach, this paper comprehensively investigates the damage effects of MCS under near-field underwater explosion. Three distinct damage modes are defined. Damage results of MCS caused by a single explosive and simultaneous detonation of two explosives with equivalent total mass are analyzed. A damage factor designated F* is proposed for determining the MCS damage mode under simultaneous dual-explosive detonation. The three different damage modes of MCS are as follows: I) Plastic deformation of the outermost layer; II) Tearing failure of the outermost layer accompanied by significant deformation of the second layer; III) Tearing failure of both the outermost and second layers. Once a breach occurs in the first layer, a water jet penetrates into the cabin and strikes the second layer, causing secondary damage. Additionally, the fragments generated from the first layer colliding with the second layer are the primary factors contributing to the occurrence of Mode III. The study presents criteria for distinguishing these three damage modes based on different shock wave impact locations. When damage factor F* ⩾ 1, MCS experiences damage in Mode II; whereas when F* < 1, MCS undergoes damage in Mode I. F* achieves 96.5% accuracy in damage mode prediction for MCS under 250 g-1 080 g TNT charges. When the total mass of explosives remains constant, the simultaneous explosion of two explosives exerts a more pronounced damage effect on MCS than a single explosive.

Keywords

Underwater explosion / Multi-cabin structure / Synchronous detonation / Plastic deformation / Damage mechanism / Damage factor

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Harbin Engineering University and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature