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Ok, maybe I can shed some light on this. Its been an ongoing discussion in the mod forum as well, and recent testing and some overseas confirmation has led to an understanding of sorts. I will share the basics here - and then hope for feedback as to what mods you all may want to see given what we know. There are 2 damage models in place - an internal and external one.
Internal is compartmentalized - in essence - when you see bulkhead - think of the room leaking at that point. In reallity - the bulkhead is the equal of the room in sh3 - if you dont fix it - you'll continue to flood. In the new model - you have equipment in the room which also must be repaired - but thats seperate. In sh3 - fixing the "room" fixed all its equipment as well.
Each compartment has a certain amount of "hit points" - when you take damage - its applied to the room - with the majority going to the bulkhead. The rest goes to "other equipment". It is possible to fully repair the bulkhead - up to its full strength. Remember - this is INTERNAL.
External damage is your pressure hull. Damage here cannot be repaired without returning to home base. Refits at other ports seem wonky still - so dont use em for repair. This damage isn't "per compartment" - its a global value across the whole of your sub.
Now - the key is understanding how the 2 models work together. With a later class sub (stronger hull)- its possible to take repeated minor damage to a compartment and still be able to dive - some. But since each damage is not fixed on the hull - its cumulative - resulting in 2 effects. The first is a reduced crush depth, which we are familiar with from SH3 - but the second result is reduced bouyancy. This models damage to Main and Trim Ballast tanks (as best as we can figure at least). This is why people get everything repaired - dive and go into a death spiral - while showing no damage. Earlier - aka weaker hulled subs - could easily lose almost all their hull point if a compartment was hammered hard. Thats why you see what you see with the S class boats and such.
When your attacked - damage is applied to both the internal and external models. Internal damaging equipment - external damaging your overall hull strength.
The death spiral occurs whenever you dive and your hull is below 50% strength. The game simulates at that point massive ballast tank damage that negates your ability to control a dive. It is also possible to have your hull so damaged that ANY dive can crush you - which is what those going to PD and crushing are experiencing.
One other really interesting facet of the game is how it models crushing. It checks at an interval to see if your below test. If so - the farther away you are the faster bad things happen. Crush effects are very rapid anyway as modeled - but it would be possible (actually already done by a few) to slow the crush symptoms down. This would make it possible for you to go below test depth, risking damage - that accumulates - until you crush. If the crush is slowed - you would be able to react - but the key is damage slows - but doesnt stop entirely - until you SURFACE! It would make going under test depth possible - but only - as in real life - an option of last resort. Add in how hull damage makes you lose bouyancy - and you see the makings of a possible excellent mod.....
Now - changes are possible - but to what extent - and what direction do you want them made? Some things - like getting rid of one of the models - isnt really possible although numbers could be changed to make it have less impact.
If you have a mod suggestion - make sure you post it in the proper forum! If you have further questions as to how this model works - feel free to ask and I will do what I can to answer. Remember - this is a working understanding - its not guaranteed to be 100% accurate - but its a safe 90% bet.
On the note of some things not repairing - there are some Damage Control borks that are there - and there are some ideas on workarounds - but there is little so far that can be done on them. Hopefully another patch will fix those issues.
Good Hunting!
Captain Haplo
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