Bow and Stern Shape Integrated Optimization for a Full Ship by a Simulation-based Design Technique

Advanced computational fluid dynamic (CFD) techniques and optimization algorithms are successfully integrated together into what is known as Simulation-based Design (SBD) techniques, which open a new situation for hull-form optimization design and configuration innovation. In this article, fundamental elements of the SBD techniques are described and crucial components are analyzed profoundly with a focus on breaking through key technologies as global optimization algorithms, hull geometry modification and reconstruction, and code integration. Then, combined with high-fidelity CFD codes (on Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes), an automatic hull-form design optimization framework is established. Based on that, the full ship (bulk carrier) is optimized by selecting the total resistance and the quality of propeller disk wake field as objective functions. The results show that the decrease of the total resistance is significant at the possible speed range with a reduction of approximately 5% taking into account gains of propulsion efficiency produced by the improvement of wake field, the comprehensive energy-saving effect will be further expanded. The example confirms the applicability of the developed SBD framework to the full ship design problems.