Objectives  In order to better simulate and analyze the deformation damage characteristics and energy dissipation characteristics of the double-hull submarine's external array structure in collision,

  Methods  the representative main ballast tank cabin section of the double-hull submarine was selected as the research object. A comparative analysis was carried out from the structural deformation mode, the dynamic structural response characteristics and the energy absorption distribution characteristics of each component for the cabin sections of the double-hull submarine with or without external multilayer array structure by using the nonlinear finite element software ABAQUS.

  Results  The results show that the external multilayer array structure reduces the plastic deformation energy of the pressure hull under impact load by 75%.

  Conclusions  The external multilayer array structure has good protection characteristics, which may improve the crashworthiness of cabin structure, and keep the damage of the pressure hull subjected to impact load of crash within a reasonable range.