DEVELOPMENT OF AN OPTIMUM NONCYLINDRICAL FIBERGLASS PRESSURE HULL FOR DEEP SUBMERGENCE.
Abstract
The purpose of this program was to determine the optimum noncylindrical shape for use as a glass-reinforced-plastic deep-submergence pressure hull. Analytical parametric studies were performed to identify the pressure hull design concepts. Several lightweight configurations were identified. They included combinations of doubly curved hull shapes, such as spheres, prolate spheroids, and ogives. These configurations were analyzed using different laminate constructions and were designed for collapse depths of 20,000 and 40,000 feet. The hull design shape selected from those studies for manufacture is a unique composition of a series of intersecting spheres. Small-scale test models of this hull concept were designed and fabricated using shingle winding methods and collimated pre-preg tape. Two configurations were manufactured; these were: (1) the basic hull section consisting of linked spheres and supporting ribs with plug ends, and (2) complete hull specimens of the basic hull section with end joint structure and titanium endomes. Hydrostatic tests of these specimens were run. Strain gage readings showed 1 to 1 stress fields in the spherical sections, thus validating the basic concept. However, the specimens had premature failures. These failures were traced to small local areas of wavinesses in the longitudinal fibers over the ribs in otherwise sound layups. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0691255
Entities
People
- Herbert R. Jacobson