Optimization

Automatic optimization

K-EPSILON has developed powerful tools to perform automatic shape optimization of hulls, mast or appendages such as bulbous bows or rudders.
These optimization tools are not limited to marine shape optimization and can be used to efficiently optimize virtually any set of design parameters (control parameters, structure characteristics, etc). The choice of design parameters to consider is the key element in a successful optimization study. K-EPSILON can help you chose the parameters to optimize to maximize the performance gains while minimizing the number of parameters to be studied so as to keep the study size and cost reasonable.
K-EPSILON can perform numerous kinds of dynamic simulations and provide a wealth of data and results to the customer. It can be prediction of ship resistance. seakeeping behaviour, towed stability, power prediction, slamming, resistance of materials, structure deformation, design optimization and many other applications can be benefit from fully unsteady simulation coupled to efficient optimization tools.

Bulb Optimization
Automatic bulb optimization
Bulbous bows reduce ship resistance by creating a wave pattern that interacts with and partly cancels the wave pattern generated by the rest of the vessel. Retrofiting an optimized bulbous bow to an existing vessel is an economical way to reduce a vessels fuel consumption and emissions. Here a study is performed by K-EPSILON with FINE/Marine and our in-house bulb modeling and optimization tools. The bulbous bow modeling tool and optimizer were developed in collaboration with the prestigous INRIA and published in Journal of Ship Research. Here a fishing vessel is investigated with a bulbous bow to improve its resistance, A resistance reduction of 11% was obtained with the best bulb design compared to the original design without bulb using only a small number of designs. 
Two dimensional mast optimization 
Automatic 2D mast optimization for Groupama 4
The choice of mast section parameters such as the section width and length have important impacts on both the structure and aerodynamics of a mast. K-EPSILON investigated and optimized the 2D mast section of Groupama 4. A global approach where the impact of the mast section structure on both the rig's overall configuration and its weight was considered in addition to the pure aerodynamic performance.  A large range of  section shapes were considered. This global methodology was key, as the optimal design was quite different from the optimal design from a pure aerodynamic persepctive. The resulting mast was lighter and required less spreaders than the rigs of competitors, which permitted a net reduction in both weight aloft and windage. K-EPSILON is proud to have contributed to this winning design.

Design optimization expertise

Automatic design optimization tools are a powerful complement to but not a substitute to engineering expertise and intuition. Optimization tools are excellent for honing in on the exact optimal design of a given baseline design, but engineering expertise and experience alone are able to holistically judge if the design space is failing to consider potential global optimums.

K-EPSILON was asked by a client to optimize the resistance of a dredger. Rather than immediately apply optimization tools, K-EPSILON analyzed the flow behavior around the baseline hull with a bulbous bow (Hull 1). From this it was decided to modify the transom and replace the bulb with a streamlined traditional bow (Hull 3). The resulting design had both 12% less resistance and was easier and cheaper to build. 

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