COUPLED 2025

On the exploration of structural deformation, induced vibration and structure-borne noise of floating ship-like military structure subjected to underwater explosion

  • Bardiani, Jacopo (Politecnico of Milano)
  • Sbarufatti, Claudio (Politecnico of Milano)
  • Manes, Andrea (Politecnico of Milano)

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Understanding the dynamic behaviour of submerged structures under extreme pressure loading is crucial for naval shipbuilding and offshore engineering. Among various pressure load sources, underwater explosions (UNDEX) significantly impact the safety and functionality of underwater vehicles like submarines and marine structures, including drilling platforms and combat ships [1]. A typical UNDEX event can produce three damaging mechanisms: initial primary shock waves impact the hull at high velocity and pressure, followed by lower-frequency pressure waves from the gas bubble pulsation generated by the explosion. Finally, the collapse of gas bubbles results in high-speed water jets that can strike the structure. The study of these phenomena is complex, with no standard numerical methodology available in the literature. Understanding the effects of explosions is essential for designing hull structures and internal components critical for military operations and safety [1-2]. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a multi-model numerical methodology to assess ship structural responses to underwater explosions, specifically estimating structural deformations, induced vibrations, and structure-borne noise. To minimize the high computational costs associated with full-scale ships, a scaled section of a typical military vessel is investigated. The findings highlight the significance of examining structural damage, vibrations, and noise from far-field underwater explosions. The study also assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the adopted methodology, suggesting future strategies to enhance computational efficiency and accuracy in evaluating structural responses under extreme loading conditions.