Abstract
A geometry modification is one of main keys in achieving a successful optimization. The optimized hull form generated from the geometry modification should be a realistic, faired form from the ship manufacturing point of view. This paper presents a practical hull optimization procedure using a parametric modification function. In the parametric modification function method, the initial ship geometry was easily deformed according to the variations of design parameters. For example, bulbous bow can be modified with several parameters such as bulb area, bulb length, bulb height etc. Design parameters are considered as design variables to modify hull form, which can reduce the number of design variables in optimization process and hence reduce its time cost. To verify the use of the parametric modification function, optimization for KCS was performed at its design speed (FN=0.26) and the wave making resistance is calculated using a well proven potential code with fully nonlinear free surface conditions. The design variables used are key design parameters such as Cp curve, section shape and bulb shape. This study shows that the hull form optimized by the parametric modification function brings 7.6% reduction in wave making resistance. In addition, for verification and comparison purpose, a direct geometry variation method using a bell-shape modification function is used. It is shown that the optimal hull form generated by the bell-shaped modification function is very similar to that produced by the parametric modification function. However, the total running time of the parametric optimization is six times shorter than that of the bell shape modification method, showing the effectiveness and practicalness from a designer point of view in ship yards.
