Simulation of dynamic behaviour of high-speed catamaran craft subjected to underwater explosion

Abstract

In recent years, shock trials for surface ships have been conducted in many countries for qualification of ship integrity, systems and subsystems in response to shock. A ship trial identifies design and construction deficiencies that negatively impact ship and crew survivability. Such a trial also validates shock hardening and performance of shipboard equipments. However, live-fire ship shock trials and underwater explosion testing are both complex and expensive. As a possible alternative, numerical modelling and simulation may provide viable information on the details of dynamic characteristics of ships, including at the component and sub-component levels. Ship shock analyses were conducted using a finite-element-based coupled catamaran-type ship with a fluid model. This model is also applicable to underwater explosion (UNDEX) simulation for movements of a high-speed catamaran-type ship. Catamaran-type ship shock modelling and simulation were performed and the simulation results were compared with the empirical data. The high-speed catamaran-type ship shock analysis approach is presented and the important parameters are discussed.