Genetic Algorithm Approach in Double Hull Oil Tanker Structural Optimization: Material Efficiency and Environmental Impact

Abstract In the maritime industry, the challenge of ship structural design lay in balancing diverse design criteria, necessitating innovative approaches to ensure robust ship structures with minimal weight. Achieving efficiency in design was crucial for enhancing material efficiency and environmental impact. This research focuses on optimizing the midship structure of double-hull oil tankers, which were vital for transporting large quantities of liquid cargo. The methodology employed a Single Objective Optimization approach with a Genetic Algorithm to minimize the weight of the ship’s structure. Weight was assessed in terms of the construction weight for one block of the ship located in the parallel middle body. Design variables included plate thickness and dimension of stiffener, with design parameters encompassing the ship’s main dimension, preliminary design, and structural design. The constraints were the weight of one block in the parallel middle body of the existing ship and the modulus value. The expected outcomes of this research included a significant reduction in midship structure weight, especially for longitudinal elements, while maintaining the ship’s strength according to the modulus requirements of Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia, along with the modeling of an optimized ship midship section. By achieving a reduction in structural weight, this research aims to improve environmental impact and enhance material efficiency in ship design.