Optimization of the Ship Hull Hydrodynamic Characteristics in Calm Water

The paper discusses the application of a genetic algorithm, coupled with a three-dimensional potential flow solver, in order to deal with the hydrodynamic optimization of a ship hull form with a bulbous bow. The bulb is defined by several geometrical parameters and a set of splines in tension has been used to describe the ship hull form and to allow the modifications of the ship forebody. The optimization procedure is fully automated, and once the basis hull form, objective function, optimization parameters and constrains are defined, it requires no user interaction. According to the predefined constraints, optimized hull forms have been obtained, and hence analyzed and compared to the basis hull form in order to demonstrate the effectiveness and validity of the developed procedure