Objectives  To identify and quantify uncertain factors in the modeling and simulation of ships suffering a non-contact underwater explosion, the influence of high dimensional random variables on the output of the system is studied.

  Methods  Following statistical characteristics and engineering knowledge, the normal distribution log is used to describe uncertain physical quantity, and Beta distribution is utilized to depict uncertain empirical parameters. Rosenblatt transformation is explored to transform these correlated random variables into Gaussian variables, satisfying identical and independent distribution. There are a variety of uncertain factors due to the complexity of the model. The computational efficiency is greatly improved when homogeneous Wiener chaos with quadratic adaptive basis function is used to tackle improbability propagation of these input uncertainties. Concerns over a spring device in the deck, expectation, standard deviation, confidence interval, and the probability density function of the quantity of impulsive is presented via the proposed method.

  Results  Oscillation of the ship always exists after the arrival of a shock wave. The oscillation of the standard deviation is much more forceful than the mean value.

  Conclusions  The result can be used to predict the impact of a detonation and provide guidance for the reinforcement ability of the ship.