A DESIGN SCHEME FOR SHIP STRUCTURES

The development of a design system capable of application to large complex ship structures is described. In broad terms the computer based system consists of a general automatic finite element analysis model linked to an optimisation routine. The key areas discussed in the paper are the mathematical modelling of design problems, the use of finite element method in design and the efficient optimisation of large design problems. An explanatory example is given and full results from an application of the system to the design of a tanker transverse are presented. /AUTHOR/