What happens when a submarine implodes?

ERPP8 · 05-16-11, 06:00 PM

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 · 05-16-11, 06:06 PM

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 · 05-16-11, 06:07 PM

http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/phorum...&i=20&t=20&v=f

Platapus · 05-16-11, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/phorum...&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 · 05-16-11, 06:56 PM

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

Platapus · 05-16-11, 07:00 PM

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

CaptainMattJ. · 05-16-11, 08:11 PM

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 · 05-16-11, 08:33 PM

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.

05-16-11, 06:00 PM	#1
ERPP8 Commodore Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: My House Posts: 608 Downloads: 161 Uploads: 0	What happens when a submarine implodes? 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.

05-16-11, 06:06 PM	#2
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	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. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

05-16-11, 07:00 PM	#6
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Strange that Uboat.net has activity every day, but Fleetsub doesn't. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

05-16-11, 08:11 PM	#7
CaptainMattJ. The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sin City Posts: 1,364 Downloads: 55 Uploads: 0	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 __________________ A popular Government without popular information nor the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives - James Madison

05-16-11, 08:33 PM	#8
TLAM Strike Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 8,633 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 6	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. __________________

05-16-11, 06:07 PM	#3
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/phorum...&i=20&t=20&v=f

05-16-11, 06:56 PM	#5
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	Yeah me too. That thread i linked was probably the best discussion on this subject that i've seen.