Experimental and numerical analysis on suitability of S-Glass-Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites for submarine hull

Abstract

Suitability of S-Glass/carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite for submarine hull subjected to hydrostatic pressure has been investigated in the present study. Metallic materials have raised concerns owing to their decomposition due to low resistance towards salinity and hence polymer composites have been explored to showcase their mechanical stability to withstand transverse and impact loads. To this end, the mechanical properties of S-Glass/carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite were experimentally investigated and higher specific strength and stiffness of the composite in comparison to many metallic materials used for submarine hull were reported. The obtained experimental values were used for the static and dynamic crash analysis of the bow, stern and foil through Finite Element Analysis (FEA); where depth of travel was varied from sea surface level of 0–7000 m. Submarine assembly was later developed with the optimum shape and thickness of each part. We also report the nonlinear crash analysis upon impact at velocity ranging from 3 to 21 m/s. Besides, kinetic energy, acceleration peak and internal energy in struck submarine revealed that travel depth 1750 m and 3500 m is recommendable, more particularly, crash safety factor of the submarine is found to be within limit when submarine encounters crash at 1750 m.

Keywords

• Crash
• Impact
• Design
• Submarine
• Hull
• Bow