A novel efficient method to evaluate the dynamic response of laminated plates subjected to underwater shock

UNDerwater EXplosions (UNDEX) can cause severe damage to submarines, ships and offshore infrastructures as well as deep-sea fuel transfer installations, most of which are made of laminated plates and shells. A novel method involving an analytical technique and connected with the elastic dynamic response of laminated plates subjected to UNDEX is proposed here. It is based on the state space method, a numerical inversion of the Laplace transform and the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) theory formulated by Taylor. Two novel algorithms for numerically inverting the Laplace transform are also proposed, and these computations are apparently more efficient than the algorithms to be found in the related literature. The present method is validated by undertaking a comparison with a semi-analytical method and the experiment results derived from the literature written on the subject, as well as with the finite element analysis (AA). The cooperation is deemed strong and the present method is apparently more accurate than the semi-analytical method and the FEA. The influence of the FSI is investigated in detail in a case study using both a stiff and a flexible plate. The results show that the FSI significantly influences the reaction of the laminated plate. The present solution may assist in promoting an understanding of the elastic and acoustic responses of submerged structures made of plates, and the results might be used as a benchmark solution in further research. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.