A Design-Decision Support Framework for Evaluation of Design Options in Passenger Ship Engine Room

Most real world design evaluation and risk-based decision support combine quantitative and qualitative (linguistic) variables. Decision-making based on conventional mathematics that combines qualitative and quantitative concepts always exhibit difficulty in modelling actual problems. The successful selection process for choosing a design/procurement proposal is based on a high degree of technical integrity, safety levels and low costs in construction, corrective measures, maintenance, operation, inspection and preventive measures. However, the objectives of maximising the degree of technical performance, maximising the safety levels and minimising the costs incurred are usually in conflict, and the evaluation of the technical performance, safety and costs is always associated with uncertainties, especially for a novel system at the initial concept design stage. In this paper, a design-decision support framework using a composite structure methodology grounded in approximate reasoning approach and evidential reasoning method is suggested for design evaluation of machinery space of a ship engine room at the initial stages. It is a Multiple Attribute Decision-Making (MADM) or Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) framework, which provides a juxtaposition of cost, safety and technical performance of a system during evaluation to assist decision makers in selecting the winning design/procurement proposal that best satisfies the requirement in hand. An illustrative example is used to demonstrate the application of the proposed framework.