Structural analysis for spherical pressure hull of deep manned submersible

This paper presents the results of the structural analysis and the optimization of a 6,500m manned submersible. Nonlinear structural analysis for imperfect spheres with the maximum allowable out-of-roundness was performed to calculate the thickness of the pressure hull. Dimensions of viewports was determined according to ASME PVHO standard. The design optimization of the spherical hull with openings was divided into two steps - the optimization of the detailed shape of the viewport reinforcements and the optimization of the viewport location in the spherical pressure hull.