SUMMARY 



1. A submarine pressure hull built of separate rings may be so designed as 

 to have a hydrostatic collapse strength comparable to that of a monolithic 

 hull. 



2. The technique of ring construction permits an increase in static 

 collapse strength compared to current steel hulls of the same weight, 

 through the use of light, high-strength, nonweldable materials. This 

 technique may also result in savings in fabrication and assembly costs, 

 which would make it practical for use with weldable materials . 



3. A wide variety of mechanical techniques is available to provide the 

 necessary longitudinal strength, watertight integrity, and corrosion 

 protection for hulls of ring construction. The expanding technology of 

 epoxy plastics may provide materials suitable for these applications. 



RECOMMENDATIONS 



Future research should include studies of the effects of hull 

 bending moments and longitudinal tensile loads on various types of 

 mechanical joints. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 



The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of Mr. Martin A. 

 Krenzke who initiated the project and designed Models PJ-1S and PJ-1L. 



