OPTSHIP: a new optimization framework and its application to optimum design of ship structure

This paper proposes an optimization framework called OPTSHIP (OPTimization for SHIP) by integrating NASTRAN external analyzer with some global optimization algorithms to enhance optimum design for vibration reduction of ship structure. The merits of this framework are used for global searching and selection of various objective functions and design variables. It is especially relatively easy to apply for optimum design of a big and complex structure such as a merchant ship. The global optimization algorithms used here are random tabu search method and genetic algorithm. Moreover, an example of optimum design to reduce the vibration level of a deckhouse according to the strict vibration criteria is presented to verify the performance of the proposed algorithm. The results show that the reduction of vibration velocity reaches 33.5%, which indicates that the proposed method is relatively effective and can be applied in real-world optimization.