Weight and Cost Optimization of Midship Section Using Common Structural Rules

Cost and weight optimization in ship construction are usually investigated in the form of a multiobjective optimization problem. So far, many studies have been carried out to achieve various types of existing optimization objectives and different tools have been developed. Most of the studies in the field of structural optimization have focused on comparing the available optimization algorithms. In this study, a rule-based tool is developed based on the Common Structural Rules (CSRs), which despite its simplicity in application, provides high capabilities in producing an optimal solution. In the developed tool, structural analysis of serviceability limit state is performed by using the relationships of CSRs. The computational tool is created by MATLAB software (Mathworks, Natick, Massachusetts), and the optimization technique is a genetic algorithm. The performance of the computational tool is evaluated by analyzing the midship section of a chemical tanker. In the optimization procedure, weight and cost are assumed to have the same importance. From the results of the developed tool, all components of the weight and cost of ship construction decreased in the optimal solution relative to the initial design.