The assessment of the response of naval vessels to underwater shock creates a need for tools that can analyze and design such systems to withstand underwater explosions (UNDEX). The short-duration dynamic response of simplified structural components to an UNDEX loading was investigated. A methodology has been developed by which the response of a simplified structural component of UNDEX can be validated through the use of precision impact testing and numerical simulations. An iterative process was used where an UNDEX response, determined through previous results, preliminary UNDEX simulations, and impact simulations, leads to the parameters necessary for a precision impact test that generates an equivalent response. Precision impact tests were performed, and the results correlated with the impact simulated data. The results from an UNDEX test were compared with the predictions from the validated numerical code. The simplifications to the structural component included these tests and simulations performed with a rectangular flat panel. The numerical simulations were three-dimensional, solved explicitly, and included either the impact loading environment - a hybrid impactor with an initial velocity - or the UNDEX loading environment - a plane shock wave applied to the surface of the target structure. Since only the short-duration response was of concern, later time effects, such as gas bubble effects, were ignored. Although the methodology was developed to use multiple iterations, the scope of the study only included one set of precision-impact tests on each type of material, one UNDEX test against the aluminum panel, and two UNDEX tests against the composite panel. Once the methodology using precision shock testing and numerical simulations to validate the UNDEX response had been developed, it was applied to a "design-for-shock" procedure.
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