Hydrodynamic Shape Optimization of

Semisubmersibles with Seakeeping Criteria

Evaluated with Neural Network Response Surface
Felipe Carvalho dos Santos
Thiago Pontin Tancredi
Laboratrio de Otimizao e Projeto Integrado
Departamento de Engenharia Naval e Ocenica
Escola Politcnica da Universidade de So Paulo

Presentation topics
Research group overview;
Problem description;
Goals;

Methodology;
Conclusion and next steps.

Research group overview

Laboratrio de Otimizao
e Projeto Integrado

Research group overview

Hull Optimization
of Semisubmersible
with Multidirectional
Seakeeping Criteria
Evaluated with Neural
Network Response Surface
R. Z. Venzon, T. P. Tancredi
Experimental
Determination of
Structural Global
Efforts in a
Semi-submersible
Platform
E. E. M. Garcia, T. P. Tancredi

Problem description
The dynamic behavior of floating units is linked to several
factors among which are:
physical integrity of the crew;
longer operation time;
operational performance;

Problem description
Improved dynamic
behavior

Longer operation time

Higher profits

More security for the

crew

Goals
Optimization of the dimensions of a semi-submersible based on
the dynamic behavior of an existing platform, the GVA4000:
GVA4000's characteristics
Length of the pontoons

937,2 mm

Width of the pontoons

186,0 mm

Depth of the pontoons

87,2 mm

Transverse distance between columns

636,0 mm

Diameter of the columns

150,0 mm

Submerged height of the columns

151,2 mm

Draght

238,4 mm

Submerged volume
Metacentric height

4,0E+07 mm
27,9 mm

Methodology
Construction of the GVA4000s computational model
Calculation of the GVA4000s RAO in AQWA, spectral analysis and calculation of
the significant height of response
Construction of a parameterized model to generate a set of feasible platforms
Calculation of the feasible models RAO in AQWA, spectral analysis and calculation
of the significant height of response

Construction of the response surface

Optimization of the dimensions of the parameterized model

Geometry used
Utilization of a geometry
whose pontoons have a
more thin inner region.
The columns also have two
regions: a lower thin region
and an upper region that
crosses the waterline.

Geometry used
Bi-symmetric model, therefore, we worked just with one
quadrant. Detail of the four subunits:

Internal pontoon

External pontoon

Lower column

Upper column

Selection of variables
Length, width and depth of each subunit have become
variables and their values could be updated in AQWA software
several times.
Description

Variable

Lenght of the internal pontoon

Lpon_int

Width of the internal pontoon

Bpon_int

Depth of the internal pontoon

Dpon_int

Lenght of the external pontoon

Lpon_ext

Width of the external pontoon

Bpon_ext

Depth of the external pontoon

Dpon_ext

Lenght of the lower column

Lcol_inf

Width of the lower column

Bcol_inf

Depth of the lower column

Dcol_inf

Lenght of the upper column

Lcol_sup

Width of the upper column

Bcol_sup

Depth of the upper column

Dcol_sup

Selection of variables
To keep the model symmetric, in other words, avoid things like that...

Selection of variables
To keep the model symmetric, in other words, avoid things like that...

Selection of variables
... some auxiliary variables had to be defined.
Description

Variable

Transverse distance between the edge of the internal pontoon and the symmetry plane

Bdist1

Vertical distance between the edge of the internal pontoon and the water plane

Ddist1

Transverse distance between the edge of the pontoons

Bdist2

Vertical distance between the edge of the pontoons

Ddist2

Longitudinal distance between the edge of the external pontoon and the lower column

Ldist3

Transverse distance between the edge of the external pontoon and the lower column

Bdist3

Longitudinal distance between the edge of the columns

Ldist4

Transverse distance between the edge of the columns

Bdist4

Selection of variables
However, most of them have a geometric relationship with the
main variables.
Variable

Geometric relationship

Bdist1

Ddist1

Ddist2 + Dcol_inf + Dcol_sup

Bdist2

(Bpon_ext - Bpon_int)/2

Ddist2

(Dpon_ext - Dpon_int)/2

Ldist3

(Lpon_ext - Lcol_inf)/2

Bdist3

(Bpon_ext - Bcol_inf)/2

Ldist4

(Lcol_sup - Lcol_inf)/2

Bdist4

(Bcol_sup - Bcol_inf)/2

Selection of variables
Bdist1 has no
relationship with
variable.

geometrical
any other

Moreover, it is a parameter that

is directly linked to the stability
of the platform, so it was
inserted into the set of main
variables.

It has now a set of 13 variables.

Description

Variable

Lenght of the internal pontoon

Lpon_int

Width of the internal pontoon

Bpon_int

Depth of the internal pontoon

Dpon_int

Lenght of the external pontoon

Lpon_ext

Width of the external pontoon

Bpon_ext

Depth of the external pontoon

Dpon_ext

Lenght of the lower column

Lcol_inf

Width of the lower column

Bcol_inf

Depth of the lower column

Dcol_inf

Lenght of the upper column

Lcol_sup

Width of the upper column

Bcol_sup

Depth of the upper column

Transverse distance between the edge
of the internal pontoon and the
symmetry plane

Dcol_sup

Bdist1

Feasible models
With the variables defined, a set of 40 feasible platforms was
created. They were used to generate the response surface.
Characteristics of
the platforms created
Submerged volume*
Metacentric height
*same of GVA4000

4,0E+07 mm
10,0 mm

Spectral analysis
Calculation of RAO for 0,
45 e 90 degrees

Spectral analysis
The sea spectrum was described as a function of wind speed at
the operational limit of GVA4000 platform (6,6 m/s for the
model).

Densidade de energia S() [mms]

2
5
S = 0,0081 g exp 0,74
g

70.000,0
60.000,0
50.000,0
40.000,0
30.000,0
20.000,0
10.000,0
0,0
0,0

2,0

4,0

6,0

8,0

10,0

12,0

Frequncia [rad/s]
Espectro de excitao de Pierson-Moskowitz

14,0

16,0

Spectral analysis
Calculation of the significant height of response

Spectral analysis
Significant heights at 0:
180,00

Altura significativa de resposta [mm]

160,00
140,00
120,00
100,00
80,00
60,00
40,00
20,00
0,00
0

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

Modelos
GVA4000

Modelos parametrizados

28

30

32

34

36

38

40

Spectral analysis
Significant heights at 45:
180,00

Altura significativa de resposta [mm]

160,00
140,00
120,00
100,00
80,00
60,00
40,00
20,00
0,00
0

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

Modelos
GVA4000

Modelos parametrizados

28

30

32

34

36

38

40

Spectral analysis
Significant heights at 90:
200,00

Altura significativa de resposta [mm]

180,00
160,00
140,00
120,00
100,00
80,00
60,00
40,00
20,00
0,00
0

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

Modelos
GVA4000

Modelos parametrizados

28

30

32

34

36

38

40

Neural network response surface

With this results, a neural network response surface was built.
This response surface is nothing more than an analytical
interpolation as a Fourier Series that receives the value of
the input parameters and returns the value of the output
parameter.
In this case, the output parameter is the significant height of
response.

Optimization
Restrictions:
Submerged volume

4,0E+07 mm

Metacentric height

10,0 mm

Auxiliary variables

0,1 mm

It is known that the optimal model

has a well defined form.
These restrictions ensure that this
form is achieved by avoiding
unfeasible geometries.

Optimization
Restrictions:
Submerged volume

4,0E+07 mm

Metacentric height

10,0 mm

Auxiliary variables

0,1 mm

Restriction very rigid and

almost impossible to obtain in
heuristic methods.
We opted to change this
restriction, leaving a variable
depending on the volume.
The variable chosen was
Lpon_int.

Optimization
Volume = 4 (LBD)pon_int + (LBD)pon_ext + (LBD)col_inf + (LBD)col_sup

Lpon_int

Volume
=
LBD
4

pon_ext

LBD

col_inf

LBD

col_sup

/(BD)pon_int

Lpon_int becomes a new constraint in place of volume

restriction.
Thus, there is a set of 12 variables and 4 constraints.

Optimization
Restrictions:
Lpon_int

> 0 mm

Lpon_int

??? mm

Metacentric height

10,0 mm

Auxiliary variables

0,1 mm

What value considered as the

upper limit?
Initially it was decided to use
250 mm.

Optimization
Optimization

Optimized solutions

Neural response
surface training

Evaluations of the
optimized solutions
Convergence
reached

Inicial
numerical
evalutions

Neural response
surface verification

Optimization

Re-training of the neural

response surface

Optimization
The first stage consisted of a mono-objective optimization to
the case of heading angle at 0.

Results of the first iteration:

GM = 11 mm
Hs = 44 mm

Optimization
Significant height of the first iteration:
180,00

Altura significativa de resposta [mm]

160,00
140,00
120,00
100,00
80,00
60,00
40,00
20,00
0,00
0

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

Modelos
GVA4000

Modelos parametrizados

Primeira iterao

32

34

36

38

40

Conclusion and next steps

The parametric model was built consistently and greatly
facilitated the generation of feasible models;

The neural network responded very well, leading to a

considerable improvement on the first iteration;
Next steps:
i) implementation of a process of multi-objective optimization
considering the three angles of heading - 0, 45 and 90
degrees - simultaneously;
ii) construction of the optimal model and test in tank for
experimental comparison between the dynamic behavior of
GVA4000 and the optimal model;

Hydrodynamic Shape Optimization of

Semisubmersibles with Seakeeping Criteria
Evaluated with Neural Network Response Surface

Thank you!