Abstract:
This thesis investigates the dynamic response of a catamaran hull ship subjected to underwater explosions (UNDEX) using the finite element (FE) method. High-speed combatant ships, especially multi-hull ships like the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), are particularly vulnerable to UNDEX due to their thin hull construction. An existing FE model of a catamaran hull was adapted to apply a shock pressure load to the underwater surface, followed by a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis using the ABAQUS/Explicit FE code to determine the structural response. Various explosion conditions, including different charge weights and standoff distances, were modeled to assess the severity of loading. The results provided a method for determining structural deformations based on charge weight and standoff distance and the corresponding fluid-structure interaction. The study concludes that the response of a catamaran hull to an UNDEX event is dependent on these parameters, and these findings can be incorporated into survivability studies for current and future catamaran hull ship designs.
