Dynamics of Underwater Explosion Bubble Pairs Oscillating Near a Floating Structure

Interactions between multiple bubbles near a structure are applicable in several fields such as military or industrial engineering. In this paper, interactions between two underwater explosion bubbles near a floating structure are investigated. Experiments were carried out in a cubic explosion tank, with high-speed images to record the expansion, collapse, jet and coalescence between the bubbles. In addition, numerical simulations are performed using Arbitrary Lagrange-Euler (ALE) method, and the simulations on behaviors of the bubbles are consistent with experimental observations. Effects of the bubble–bubble distance and bubble-wall distance on the bubbles’ interactions are discussed. It is found that the jet formation and development are largely dependent on the position and mutual distance between the bubbles. Research findings reported in this paper can provide a reference for multiple bubbles dynamics and the resultant damage on the structure nearby.