Hull Form Optimization Based on an NM+CFD Integrated Method for KCS

Abstract

This paper concerns development and illustration of a hydrodynamic optimization tool, OPTShip-SJTU, which contains four main components, i.e., hull form modifier, performance evaluator, surrogate model building, and optimizer module. It has been further developed by integrating a new method into the performance evaluator module, which combines the Neumann–Michell (NM) theory with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology, in order to reduce the high computational cost. To illustrate the practicality of further extension, OPTShip-SJTU was applied to optimize the hull form of KCS by simultaneously reducing drags at two speeds. A drag reduction was obtained by the optimal KCS of different hull forms. It turns out the presented method for ship optimization design is effective and reliable.