Transient Response of Submerged Plates Subject to Underwater Shock Loading: An Analytical Perspective

Abstract

In this paper, Taylor’s floating air-backed plate (ABP) model is extended to the case of a submerged water-backed plate (WBP) within the acoustic range. The solution of the WBP is cast into the same format as that of the ABP with a modified fluid-structure interaction (FSI) parameter, which allows a unified analysis of the ABP and WBP using the same set of formulas. The influence of back conditions on fluid and structural dynamics, including fluid cavitation, is systematically investigated. Asymptotic limits are mathematically identified and physically interpolated. Results show that the WBP experiences lower equivalent pressure loading, reduced structural response, and hence lower peak momentum gaining. The time to reach peak momentum is shorter for the WBP than for the ABP. Cavitation is found to be almost inevitable for the ABP, while relevant to the WBP only for a small range of the FSI parameter. Implications to shock response of submerged structures are briefly discussed.