Structural dynamic response characteristics of supercavitating underwater vehicles

The relation between the impact loads on supercavitating underwater vehicle's tail and the vehicle's velocity was advanced firstly, with the method of combining the conclusions. Then, the structural response and deformation characteristics of the vehicle were studied by finite element method (FEM). The dominant frequencies of the acceleration responds were obtained. The maximum strains of the vehicle and their locations were gotten. And the relations between the dominant frequencies and the vehicle' velocities, the maximum strains of the vehicle and the vehicle' velocities were discussed. Simulation results indicate that there are two dominant frequencies. If the vehicle's velocity is relatively small, the first dominant frequency should be chosen as reference frequency for structure design, and the second one should be chosen for relatively large velocity. The simulation results also indicate that the maximum deformations of the vehicle increase with the increase of the vehicle's velocity. These results would be helpful for structure strength analysis and optimum structure design of supercavitating underwater vehicles.