Modification of ship hull form using a developed cylindrical optimization model for hydrodynamic performance assessment

The design and optimization of ship hull forms play a crucial role in enhancing the performance and efficiency of marine vessels. This study focuses on integrating a cylindrical central body part within a conventional ship hull to explore its impact on hydrodynamic characteristics and overall vessel performance. The research employs hydrodynamical concepts, parametric studies, and optimization algorithms to analyze the design space systematically. The aim of including the cylindrical central body is to investigate its influence on reducing resistance, improving fuel efficiency, and enhancing maneuverability. A new optimization model based on the cylindrical body inclusion in the hull form is developed. The existing generalized reduced gradient (GRG) optimization method is also adopted to determine the accuracy of the proposed methodology. It is revealed that the resistance predicted by the GRG method is much closer to the original result of the parent hull form. A container vessel is taken as a case study example. The new, simplified, approach developed here provides a greater reduction in the resistance values of the case study vessel. Hence, the adoption of a cylindrical hull form in ship design can improve hydrodynamic performance. Although the results from the GRG method and the new scheme agree within the speed range of 0–5 m/s, some deviations are noted. In conclusion, it is observed that although the inclusion of the cylindrical body together with the adoption of the optimum design scheme is capable of improving the resistance performance of a ship, further studies are necessary to understudy the effects of this approach on the other vessel performance metrics.