Objective  To further enhance the survivability of underwater vehicles subjected to combined loads in deep-water explosions, this paper elucidates the influence of hydrostatic pressure on underwater explosion shock wave loading, bubble pulsation loading, and the damage response of typical structures, thereby addressing the limitations of traditional shallow-water explosion theory in the context of deep-water explosion research.

Method To achieve these objectives, a comprehensive and structured review of both domestic and international research literature from the past decade was conducted, focusing specifically on deep-water explosion loads and the associated structural dynamic responses. The methodological approach consisted of three integrated phases. First, a systematic literature search was performed across major academic databases using targeted keywords such as “deep-water explosion,” “hydrostatic pressure effect,” “bubble dynamics,” and “structural damage response.” Studies were screened based on relevance, methodological rigor, and the explicit consideration of water depth as a variable. Second, an analytical framework centered on water depth as the core parameter was established. This framework enabled the categorization and comparative synthesis of findings from theoretical models, advanced numerical simulations (employing tools such as AUTODYN, LS-DYNA, and smoothed particle hydrodynamics methods), and experimental investigations (including controlled pressure vessel tests and open-field trials). Third, a meta-analytic technique was applied to extract quantitative trends—such as variations in peak pressures, energy distribution ratios, and plastic strain amplitudes—and to identify qualitative patterns in failure modes. This process allowed for the distillation of consistent underlying mechanisms and highlighted important discrepancies between different investigative approaches.

Results The research demonstrates that water depth is a core variable driving the transformation of explosion energy distribution and the dominant damage mechanism. As water depth increases from 0 m to 2000 m, the peak bubble pulsation pressure rises by 50%, while the peak shock wave pressure remains largely unchanged. The coupling effect between high hydrostatic pressure in the deep-water environment and dynamic explosion loads is particularly pronounced, leading to an expansion of the structural plastic strain region, degradation of stiffness, and a shift in failure mode from localized damage (shell denting, tearing) in shallow water to global damage (global buckling, wrinkling).

Conclusion The enhanced dominance of bubble loading and the static-dynamic load coupling effect are identified as the core physical mechanisms intensifying structural damage in deep-water explosions. Finally, a correlation framework between water depth and damage modes is established, clarifying the fundamental distinctions between deep-water and shallow-water explosions, which provides clear engineering guidance for the optimal design of protective structures for deep-water vehicles. This work not only advances fundamental knowledge but also supplies a practical foundation for optimizing the protective design of next-generation deep-water underwater vehicles. Future efforts should focus on refining coupled theoretical models, validating advanced numerical techniques across broader depth ranges, and enhancing experimental capabilities to support this critical field of research.