Numerical simulation and optimisation of a reinforced steel plate against underwater explosions

Optimum arrangement of reinforcing blades can increase the resistance of marine structures and reduce potential losses in the case of explosive events. In this research, to find the most appropriate arrangement, six different geometries were modelled in 3D (one base case and five cases with different arrangements of reinforcing blades). By using Lagrangian and Eulerian methods for grid generation, the effects of the explosion on these structures in the water environment were simulated, and the variation of the Von-Mises stress, damage parameter, strain, displacement, and displacement rate were predicted for all cases. The simulations were based on finite element-finite volume methods. The accuracy of the numerical approaches was confirmed by analysing benchmark problems and comparing the obtained results with analytical and experimental data. It was found that maximum damage takes place in Case A (plate without any blades) with maximum displacement and displacement rate of 521 mm and 151 mm/ms, respectively. Also, the results of parametric simulations revealed that Case F with six perpendicular reinforcing blades was the best arrangement. In this case, the displacement and displacement rate of the plate relative to the base case (without any blades) were reduced by 40% and 64%, respectively. Copyright © 2021 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.