A study on TLP hull sizing by utilizing optimization algorithm

This paper reports a study on hull sizing for tension leg platforms (TLPs) using an optimization model. At the conceptual or basic design stage of an offshore platform project, hull sizing is one of the most important tasks, having a great impact on later stages of the project. Hull sizing is usually done by an engineering team combining several disciplines and taking account of factors including hydrodynamics, global performance, stability, and structure. This makes it difficult and time-consuming to optimize the hull dimensions. In this study, hull sizing was modeled as an optimization problem in which a range of design criteria had to be satisfied and an objective function minimized. Sizing was then performed using optimization algorithms. For each module, the result calculated by our method was compared with that produced by commercial software (DNV Sesam). Our system was tested for conventional TLP design in three specific metocean environments. Finally, our optimized hull shape was compared with an existing TLP, and the difference in hull shape demanded by each environment was analyzed.