SBIR-STTR Award

The objective of the proposed engineering development is to investigate and develop methodology for the exploitation of structural scaled model test data for the enhanced survivability and reduce cost of surface ship production. This engineering development will focus on the identification of appropriate model characteristics required for the accurate prediction of surface ship structure and equipment response to UNDEX loading utilizing scale model data to minimize full-scale testing. To achieve the goals mentioned above, combination of analysis and structural scale model would be utilized. The analytical part would include a proven computational approach using verified computer codes capable of modeling surface ships subjected to UNDEX loading. Methodologies to address cavitation phenomena, gravitational effects, geometric and material nonlinearities, ocean bottom and surface effects and bubble pulsation are discussed and integrated into a comprehensive approach. The effects which do not scale, such a gravitational effects, energy dissipation and surface tension would be accounted for in our approach by using supportive experimental and analytical data. Illustrative data demonstrating limitations of similitude models are referenced and validating model approaches to address these scenarios are presented. The use of the scale model test data combined with the analysis techniques/automated scaling procedures during the ship design phases are discussed and their advantages are demonstrated.