Hull form hydrodynamic optimization based on parametric modeling

This paper discusses the hydrodynamic optimization of hull form mainly. The study has been carried out using an integrated tool for hydrodynamic optimization, incorporating a CAD modeler for definition and parametric modification of hull forms, CFD codes for the evaluation of hydrodynamic performance and software for optimization and decision making. A study includes the geometric modeling, hydrodynamic analysis, design evaluation and shape variation of a DTMB5415. Genetic Algorithm is utilized to explore the design space and to improve the hull shape. The most relevant feature of the tool is its capability to carry out and automatically evaluate parametric modifications of DTMB5415´s shape, providing an assessment of the shape variants and proposing one or several `Pareto optimal´ shapes. The hydrodynamic design process is implemented: An advanced parametric modeling kernel is applied for efficient form generation and variation. The hydrodynamic performance is analyzed by state-of-the-art Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes for calm water resistance. A commercial optimization system is used to integrate the various CAD and CFD tools and to carry out the optimization.