Numerical investigation of the underwater explosion of a cylindrical explosive with the Eulerian finite-element method

Abstract

The shock wave and bubble dynamics of an underwater explosion are significant in various fields. When the charge is non-spherical, the detonation process will remarkably affect the shock wave formation and the subsequent bubble motion. In this work, the underwater explosion of a cylindrical explosive is investigated numerically with the Eulerian finite-element method combined with the programed burn model treating the detonation process. The present model is validated by comparing the simulated results with the experimental ones. Then, several cases with different slenderness of the explosive charge in various buoyancy environments are simulated and analyzed. The results demonstrate a notable variation of the shock wave in different directions. The shock wave will reach the highest pressure peak and shortest pulse width at a certain angle determined by the ratio between the speeds of the detonation wave and the shock wave. Furthermore, the non-spherical initial expansion of the bubble casts a significant influence on the subsequent bubble evolution. Three typical jet morphologies are identified with different combinations of buoyancy parameter and oblateness ratios of the bubble, featured by a slightly oblique upward jet penetrating the bubble, a laminar jet that failed to penetrate the bubble continuously, and a pair of opposite horizontal jets penetrating the bubble. Meanwhile, the horizontal jets that happen under a weak buoyancy environment will reduce the upward migration.