Acrylic Plastic Spherical Shell Windows under Point Impact Loading.
Abstract
Acrylic plastic spherical sector windows have been subjected to point impact loading applied to the convex surface at the center of the window. The point impact loading simulated the velocities and kinetic energies encountered in a typical collision between an immovable underwater obstacle and a submersible equipped with a large panoramic bow window. Experimental results show that spherical sector windows with 117 degrees included angle and t/Ro = 0.094 fracture during simulated underwater collisions where the kinetic energy of the impactor was at least 435 foot-pounds. For windows with t/Ro = 0.166 the required kinetic energy to generate fracture is 1750 foot-pounds. The kinetic energy of a submersible required for initiation of fracture in the bow window increased with depth, but only moderately. Protective shields fabricated from 0.375-inch thick acrylic plastic did not provide any significant protection against impact generated fracture of spherical windows. Only a bumper appears to provide adequate protection for the bow window in a submersible colliding with a large underwater object.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA024775
Entities
People
- J. D. Stachiw
- O. H. Burnside
Organizations
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center