Hydrodynamic Optimization of a Containership

Abstract

Using open-source software Dakota, this paper describes the process of generating an optimal parametric hull shape for a generic containership. Selected design variables defined the ship’s hull, and the influence of these variables on calm water resistance was analyzed. Computations of the flow around the hull were obtained from a validated nonlinear potential flow boundary element method. Using the multi-objective optimization algorithm Surrogate Based Global Optimization (SBGO) reduced the computational effort. The hydrodynamic calm water ship resistance defined the objective function. Compared with the original hull, wave resistance of the optimal hull was significantly reduced for the ship at Froude numbers corresponding to its design speeds.