Application of Improved Particle Swarm Optimisation Algorithm in Hull form Optimisation

The particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm has been widely used in hull form optimisation owing to its feasibility and fast convergence. However, similar to other intelligent algorithms, PSO also has the disadvantages of local premature convergence and low convergence performance. Moreover, optimization data are not used to analyse and reduce the range of values for relevant design variables. Our study aimed to solve these existing problems in the PSO algorithm and improve PSO from four aspects, namely data processing of particle swarm population initialisation, data processing of iterative optimisation, particle velocity adjustment, and particle cross-boundary configuration, in combination with space reduction technology. The improved PSO algorithm was used to optimise the hull form of an engineering vessel at Fn = 0.24 to reduce the wave-making resistance coefficient under static constraints. The results showed that the improved PSO algorithm could effectively improve the optimisation efficiency and reliability of PSO and effectively overcome the drawbacks of the PSO algorithm.