Date of Award

2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics

Department

Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering

First Advisor

Arun Shukla

Abstract

The objective of this work was to further understand the fluid-structure interaction resulting from the instability of aluminum cylindrical shells within underwater pressurized confined environments. A confined environment is defined as a restricted fluid domain in which nearby structures influence fluid motion and limit the potential energy available in the system. This work consisted of multiple experimental implosion investigations involving various confinement structures while systematically varying parameters which influence the implosion event. The first study examined the effects of varying one-dimensional fluid flow into a partially confined cylindrical structure, along with variations in the geometry of the implodable volume, while maintaining similar critical collapse pressures. The second study examined the effects of multidimensional fluid flow into a modular confinement structure configured with numerous flow restriction arrangements. In these studies, the implodable volumes were positioned within the confining structure, then placed inside a large high-pressure vessel and filled with water. The water was pressurized until the implodable volume reached instability, at which point high-speed cameras recorded the event while pressure transducers captured the resulting pressure response. The conclusions drawn from this work reveal that variations in fluid flow into a partially confined structure and the geometry of the implodable volume influences collapse behavior and the pressures generated during the event.

Comments

This thesis contains Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and is not available.

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