Fluid-structure interactions - Calculating the effects of underwater explosions on onboard equipment

In this companion article to [BM 5 206] , we focus on modeling the behavior of shipboard equipment that may be subjected to pressure waves. This issue is of particular interest to the military shipbuilding industry, where it is necessary to demonstrate the resistance of shipboard equipment to the effects of a distant underwater explosion.

This problem involves complex coupling phenomena, on the one hand between the fluid surrounding the ship's hull and, on the other, between the hull itself and the equipment attached to it. It is possible to simulate the response of equipment using elaborate numerical models, the construction and operation of which can be costly in terms of modeling and calculation time. This article outlines the principles and validation of an original calculation method, making it possible to reproduce the response of equipment by accurately representing the physics involved, while making use of calculation resources accessible to design office engineers who are experts in these subjects. The presentation covers both the theoretical and practical aspects of the method, which is general in principle and can be applied, with certain adaptations, to situations encountered in mechanical engineering, the space sector, civil engineering, transport, etc., e.g. for the resistance of structures to pyrotechnic or handling impacts, as well as to the effects of earthquakes or airborne explosions.

Readers will find these references in the "For further information" section of this dossier. An additional bibliography and links to websites provide useful resources for furthering knowledge on the subject.

At the end of the article, readers will also find a table of the notations used.