A numerical study of whole ship structural damage resulting from close-in underwater explosion shock

There are quite a few researches on far-field underwater explosion and contact underwater explosion. However, few studied the close-in non-contact underwater explosion. In this paper the numerical simulations on the deformation and rupture of a rectangular plate and a stiffened plate are conducted, respectively. The simulation results are close to the failure modes shown in the tests. The limit of acoustic–structure coupling method is also pointed out. Then a full-scale surface ship subjected to underwater shock is presented using the same method. The damage evolution process is studied and three damage modes of the whole ship are specified according to the standoff distance. All of these results can be reference to the research of close-in non-contact underwater explosion.

► The acoustic-structure coupling method is proved acceptable in simulation of structural damage caused by close-in UNDEX.
► The limit of acoustic-structure coupling method is pointed out.
► Several damage modes are given according to the numerical simulation of a whole ship subjected to close-in underwater shock.