MIDSHIP SECTION DESIGN USING A BILEVEL PRODUCTION COST OPTIMIZATION SCHEME

This paper presents the prototype of a computer-based method of midship section production cost optimization. The task is divided into two hierarchical levels, the global hull girder strength problem and the local stiffened panel strength problem, which are separated into interdependent yet distinct nonlinear programing problems (NLPs). Standard plates and rolled shapes are modeled explicitly. First the continuous solution is found, then the branch-and-bound method is used at both hierarchical levels to efficiently determine discrete optimum solutions from the continuous ones