ABSTRACT
The scantling design process of ship hulls is traditionally performed through the employment of analytical or/and empirical formulas, which are accepted by the classification bodies. In this work, an alternative paradigm is embraced and evaluated for the derivation of the double bottom’s scantlings of a bulk carrier, mainly by using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and optimizations algorithms. At first, a parametric model of the structural assembly was constructed within FE environment. Specific net scantlings were considered as design variables, some constrains were established and one loading case was taken into consideration corresponding to heavy loaded scenario, i.e. Alternate Holding Loading (AHL). Optimization was performed, by considering the weight as objective function, through the employment of both gradient-based and gradient-free algorithms. Following the optimization process, serviceability and ultimate strength over the mid-ship section was confirmed over the entire spectrum of rule-based prescribed load cases through the employment of MARS2000 software.
