Abstract
A computer design package is presented that provides optimum midship scantlings(plating, longitudinal members and frames). Basic characteristics such as L,B,T,Cb, the global structure layout, and applied loads are the requested data. It is not necessary to provide a feasible initial scantling. Within about one hour of computation time with a usual PC or laptop the LBR-5software automatically provides a rational optimum design. This software is an optimization tool dedicated to preliminary design. Its main advantages, in the early stage of design, are ease of structural modeling, rapid 3-D rational analysis of a ship's hold, and scantling optimization. Preliminary design is the most relevant and the least expensive time to modify design scantling and to compare different alternatives. Unfortunately, it is often too early for efficient use of many commercial software systems, such as FEM. This paper explains how it is now possible to perform optimization at the early design stage, including a 3-D numerical structural analysis. LBR-5 is based on the Module Oriented Approach. Design variables are the dimensions of the longitudinal and transversal members, plate thickness and spacing between members. The software contains three major modules. First, the Cost Module to assess the construction cost which is the objective function (least construction cost). So, unit material costs (Euro/kg or $/kg), welding, cutting, fairing, productivity (man-hours/m) and basic labor costs(Euro/man-hour) have to be specified by the user to define an explicit objective function. Then, there is the Constraint Module to perform a rational analysis of the global structure. This structure is modeled using stiffened plate and stiffened cylindrical shell elements. Finally, the Opti Module which contains a mathematical programming code (CONLIN) to solve constrained nonlinear optimization problems with a reduced number of re-analyses. Usually less than 15 analyses are required even with hundreds of design variables and hundreds of constraints. Optimum analysis of a FSO unit (Floating Storage Offloading) is presented as an example of the performance of the LBR-5 tool.
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