Design Tool and Methodology for Verification of Submarine Finite Element Models

Shipyards are responsible for creating and analyzing finite element (FE) models of submarine pressure hulls and components under hydrostatic pressure loading, whereas the Navy technical community is responsible for reviewing the modeling and analysis. Modeling methodologies are often a source of disagreement between the shipyards and the Navy, which can require additional model development and analysis cycles before they are resolved, costing both time and budgetary resources. The Navy has identified the need for a test-validated design procedure that can be used by both the Navy and shipyards to perform agreed-upon model checks prior to technical review to reduce disagreements in modeling technique.ATA Engineering proposes developing a design tool consisting of a modeling procedures manual and accompanying software that will verify and document that structural models follow modeling best practices. In Phase I, ATA will compile best practices currently used by the shipyards, combine those with general FE best practices, and identify opportunities for process improvement. ATA will select several submarine structures for study and then conduct planning and preliminary feasibility demonstrations for the procedures manual, software development, and design tool validation analysis and testing to be conducted in Phases II and III.