Fluid Mechanics
Fluid Mechanics
Fluid Mechanics
The reference level can be taken as any level. The submarine underwater. In part (a) the sea bottom is taken as reference whereas
part (b) the position of the submarine is the reference level. Because fluid mechanics calculations usually consider differences in
elevation, it is advisable to choose the lowest point of interest in a problem as the reference level to eliminate the use of negative
values for z.
Pressure vs Depth in a Submarine
• In a fluid of constant density, the pressure increases with the depth below the surface of
the fluid.
• As a submarine dives deeper underwater, the pressure against the sides of the hull
increases, and the side of the hull must be strong enough to withstand high pressures.
•The density of a Submarine never changes - what does change is its buoyant
properties. The boat must maintain what is known as Neutral Buoyancy throughout
different changes in water as it travels through the ocean. And trimming the boat gets
the boat to Neutral Buoyancy, which is a submerged state in which the boat neither rises
nor sinks.
All surface ships, as well as surfaced submarines, are in a positively buoyant condition, weighing less than the volume of water
they would displace if fully submerged. To submerge hydrostatically, a ship must have negative buoyancy, either by increasing its
own weight or decreasing its displacement of water. To control their displacement and weight, submarines have ballast tanks, which
can hold varying amounts of water and air (Submarine Trim and Drain Systems, 2022). Submarines dive and resurface by means
of diving planes and changing the amount of water and air in ballast tanks to affect their buoyancy.
The buoyant force act vertically upward through the centroid of the
displaced volume(Mott & Untener, 2006).
When submerged, the water pressure on a submarine's hull can
reach 4 MPa (580 psi) for steel submarines and up to 10 MPa
(1,500 psi) for titanium submarines, while interior pressure remains
relatively unchanged. This difference results in hull compression,
which decreases displacement. Water density also marginally
Submarines in a neutral buoyancy condition are not intrinsically
increases with depth, as the salinity and pressure are higher(Bulk
trim-stable. To maintain desired longitudinal trim, submarines use
Elastic Properties,2007). This change in density incompletely
forward and aft trim tanks. Pumps move water between the tanks,
compensates for hull compression, so buoyancy decreases as depth
changing weight distribution and pitching the sub up or down.
increases. A submerged submarine is in an unstable equilibrium,
tending to either sink or float to the surface. Keeping a constant
depth requires continual operation of either the depth control
tanks or control surfaces(Physics Of Liquids & Gases,2006)(Richard
O'Kane,1987).
The End
References
• Applied Fluid Mechanics, Mott & Untener. Seventh Edition
• Submarine at OED; retrieved 4 September 2021
• Cutler, Thomas J. (1 October 2017). "Of Ships and Boats and ..." Bluejacket's Manual.
• "The Fleet Type Submarine Online: Submarine Trim and Drain Systems. Navpers 16166"
. maritime.org. Retrieved 1 January 2022 – via San Francisco Maritime National Park Association.
• Nave, R. "Bulk Elastic Properties". HyperPhysics. Georgia State University. Retrieved 26
October 2007.
• "Physics Of Liquids & Gases". Elementary Classical Physics. Retrieved 7 October 2006.
• Richard O'Kane (1987). Wahoo. Presidio Press. p. 12. ISBN 9780891413011.