Configuration design of a lightweight torpedo subjected to an underwater explosion

The response of a lightweight torpedo when subjected to an underwater explosion (UNDEX) is an important criterion for multidisciplinary design. This paper investigates the effect of structural stiffeners on the performance of a lightweight torpedo. The finite element package ABAQUS was used to model the UNDEX and the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) phenomena, which are critical for accurate evaluation of torpedo stress levels. The pressure wave resulting from an underwater explosion was modeled using similitude relations and it was assumed to be a spherical wave. Various explosive weights and explosion distances were explored to determine the critical distance both for an un-stiffened and a stiffened torpedo. Once it was established that the stiffened torpedo performed better under explosive pressure loads, various configurations were studied to determine the optimal number of ring and longitudinal stiffeners. A final configuration was obtained for the torpedo that had minimum weight and was least sensitive to small manufacturing variations in the dimensions of the stiffeners. This paper presents details of the torpedo and fluid models and the finite element analysis method for FSI.