The pressure hull of a deep submersible is a unique structure which requires sophisticated technology in its design and fabrication aspects. This paper presents the design and fabrication practices, which the authors have adopted to the pressure hull of the 2, 000m deep submergence research vehicle, “SHINKAI 2000”, ordered by Japan Marine Science and Technology Center. She is an up-to-date research submersible, having the greatest depth capability in Japan.
She is under construction in Kobe Shipyard of MHI and scheduled to be completed in Oct. 1981. Her pressure hull has been tested successfully under external pressure of 1. 1 times as much as maximum operating depth. To complete the hull, the results and experiences from the R & D, which the authors have conducted extensively since 1969, have been effectively applied.
This paper also discusses the future subjects to the deeper submersible, such as 6, 000m and deeper classes.
