A Quick Dive Into How Submarines Work

Pressure Management

Submarines like Alvin, a research vessel, face immense pressure when diving deep into the ocean. Emily Kwong explains that at 22,000 feet below the surface, every square inch of Alvin's surface withstands nearly 10,000 pounds of force 1. Bruce Strickrott, an ocean engineer, highlights the role of the pressure hull, a spherical structure that distributes this pressure evenly, keeping the interior safe 1.

Think of pressure as giant hands squeezing the capsule that people are in. The water pressure is a big, powerful hand that wants to squeeze all that low pressure space inside.

--- Bruce Strickrott

This engineering marvel allows Alvin to dive deeper than typical military submarines, showcasing the importance of innovative design in pressure management 2.

   

Material Selection

The choice of materials is crucial for submarine construction, with titanium being a standout for its unique properties. Bruce Strickrott notes that Alvin's hull, made from titanium, deforms slightly under pressure but returns to its original shape, demonstrating its resilience 3. Unlike steel or aluminum, titanium resists corrosion from seawater, making it ideal for deep-sea exploration 3.

You get seawater on a piece of steel, it rusts, it oxidizes, it's a chemical reaction. It corrodes. So we don't want corrosion.

--- Bruce Strickrott

This material choice, combined with Alvin's spherical design, has enabled it to explore the ocean's depths for decades, continually evolving to meet new challenges 3.