An Inverse Geometry Design Problem in Optimizing Hull Surfaces

Abstract

The technique of the inverse design problem for optimizing the shape of a bow from a specified pressure distribution is presented. This desired pressure distribution can be obtained by modifying the existing pressure distribution of the parent ship. The surface geometry of the ship is generated using the B-spine surface method which enables the shape of the hull to be completely specified using only a small number of parameters (i.e. control points). The technique of parameter estimation for the inverse problem is thus chosen. Results show that the accuracy of the final desired ship form depends on the number of polygons used in 6-spline surface fitting; only when enough polygons are used can the good final geometry that was calculated based on a given pressure distribution be obtained.