What happens when a submarine implodes?

[ERPP8]

I got in a debate with someone where I was saying that when a submarine implodes, it just fills with water in an instant, while they argued that it crushes like a soda can. Please tell me who's right, and if possible, give some proof like a picture of a sunken submarine, or some reliable source.

[Platapus]

That would depend on the damage or flooding.

I would imagine that if an undamaged submarine were to implode there would be an increase in the air pressure and a flash as the temperature rises to the combustion level.

[Ducimus]

http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/phorum/read.php?f=5&i=20&t=20&v=f

[Platapus]

http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/phorum/read.php?f=5&i=20&t=20&v=f

That is an awesome website with a lot of good information. I just wished it was more active in the forums.

[Ducimus]

Yeah me too.
That thread i linked was probably the best discussion on this subject that i've seen.

[Platapus]

Strange that Uboat.net has activity every day, but Fleetsub doesn't. :06:

[Ducimus]

They're more popular. Uboats have been draped in a tapestry interwoven with romance, myth, popular belief, hollywood, etc etc. It's also part of the European theater. By and large, the European theater is much more popular to begin with. Pacific, not so much, because it's primarly between the US and Japan. That just doesn't sell as well outside the US.

edit:

Everyone's heard of Operation Overlord. Not as many have heard of Operation Iceberg. Go ahead, google it. ;)

[Torplexed]

They're more popular. Uboats have been draped in a tapestry interwoven with romance, myth, popular belief, hollywood, etc etc. It's also part of the European theater. By and large, the European theater is much more popular to begin with. Pacific, not so much, because it's primarly between the US and Japan. That just doesn't sell as well outside the US.

Actually, I've always been pleasantly surprised at the heavy amount of European participation, modders and players in the War in the Pacific Admiral's Edition forum over at Matrix Games. However, that's a game on the grand strategic scale.

Actual Japanese players you never see tho. :hmmm:

[TorpX]

Strange that Uboat.net has activity every day, but Fleetsub doesn't. :06:

Yes, I find it strange too (Especially in regards to SH3/SH4). I wonder if it is a anti-American thing.

[Platapus]

Yes, I find it strange too (Especially in regards to SH3/SH4). I wonder if it is a anti-American thing.


NO! Jeeze

It is more likely due to a lack of core members of the forum posting. Forums do not succeed on their own. :nope:

There has to be a core set of members who are committed to post often in order to draw visitors to join in.

Fleetsub does not have that any more. It used to be an active forum but died out. Kinda like a party... parties don't work by themselves, you have to have the right mixture of personalities to spark the interest.

Anti-American thing. :doh: Sheeesh

[Rockstar]

Just saw a show about the Thresher. It was said when it was breached the flooding was instantaneous equalizing the interior leaving no time for the outside pressures to put a wrinkle in the hull.


Well thats what they said anyways :shucks:

[yubba]

The Uss Scorpion's aft section telescoped into the mid section. ouch http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Scorpion_(SSN-589)

[CaptainMattJ.]

your death would be instantaneous. You usually are more imploded then you are incinerated

however its often that submarines lose control and sink, in which case the crew would see it coming. they just wouldnt know it when it hits though.

When a normal boat sinks, the water entering the boat would pressurize the hull, causing minimal hull collapse.


Its like a balloon. if you let the air escape naturally, the balloon will deflate, but wont explode. If you sit on the balloon, the pressure would cause it to explode almost instantly, leaving you with no recognizable balloon shape and just bits and pieces.

Except balloons dont come under enough sudden pressure from all directions in such a magnitude to cause it to implode.

Because pressure is all around the submarine, and the submarine is hollow, theres room for matter to implode. if the submarine was one long metal tube it wouldnt implode, or stress at all because theres no forces acting against the pressure.

its actually a pretty simple concept when applied to everyday things. Your more likely to crush a soda can into a very small object then you are to crush a solid cylinder of aluminum.

The reason a vessel doesnt implode when filled with water is because water is the force thats applying stress. Water cannot destroy itself. that, and the vessel now has a lot more backing up the inside in terms of matter

[TLAM Strike]

Its like the worse flash fire ever. The water pressure is so great that when the hull gives way everything (and everyone) inside the boat is incinerated. You wouldn't even notice its happening its so quick.