Scantling optimization based on convex linearizations and a dual approach—Part II

The development of the LBR-5 “Stiffened Panels Software” is included in the development of a new design methodology to ease and to improve preliminary studies of naval structures and floating hydraulic structures. It allows, as of the first draft, an optimization of the scantling of the structure's constituent elements. The ultimate target is to link standard design tools (steel structure CAD, hull form, hydrostatic curves, floating stability, weight estimation, etc.) with a rational optimization design module and a minimum construction cost (or minimum weight) objective function. It is developed to be a user-oriented tool. The optimization module is composed of three basic modules (OPTI, CONSTRAINT and COST) and a group of sub-modules (in external databases). Among these the user selects a set of relevant sub-modules (i.e. geometrical and structural constraints). Since the present optimization deals with least construction costs (as objective function), and uses an explicit objective function (not empirical), the user must specify labor costs (unitary material costs, welding, cutting, etc.). This paper is the second part of a series of two articles. The previous paper focused on the ‘Module-Oriented Optimization’ methodology and on the rational constraints (Rigo, Marine Structures 2001). This paper presents the optimization algorithm based on convex linearization and a dual approach (OPTI module). It also includes the optimization of a FSO unit as a detailed example.