Numerical simulation of surface shield effects to waterblast wave

When a naval ship is attacked by an underwater explosion (UNDEX), the ship can be severely damaged by shock waves and gas bubble pulse: such an attack can put the crew in danger and possibly destroy the ship. Preventing damage to ships is of great interest in ship design. Elastomers, or rubber-like materials, and core sandwich structure are well known to reduce impact loading. This study researched these materials, structures and verified their ability to mitigate shock loading in an UNDEX environment. Furthermore, formulas to optimize sandwich structure design are presented and its effectiveness has been confirmed.

► Numerical simulation of rubber-like materials and sandwich panel in an UNDEX environment.
► Rubber coating has to be stiff and thick exaggeratedly in UNDEX environment.
► Two equations which could be reduced stress by 50% are derived.
► It calculates the optimum sandwich panel thicknesses.