A computer model for preliminary design and economics of container ships

Chatterjee, Ashok Kumar (1982) A computer model for preliminary design and economics of container ships. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the development of a
computer algorithm for determining the principal dimensions
of a container ship at the preliminary design stage. The
algorithm was devised to aid a Naval Architect to design the
most economical ship, given the ship owner's requirements.
The emphasis has been on developing an algorithm which acts
as an aid in the design process.
There are basically four models of the computer aided
ship design which can be used in stages. The first model or
algorithm is based on a deterministic approach with parametric
variation of principal dimensions to locate the optimum design
with minimum required freight rate. The second model incorporates
optimisation techniques to arrive at the optimum ship.
Though the optimisation technique is very powerful in the
search of an optimum both in computer time and computing cost,
the parametric method is preferred where a designer has little
faith in the optimisation process or as an aid to check the
answer arrived at in the optimisation process. The third
model of the computer aided design can be used once the
optimum has been found. A new approach to carry out sensitivity
analysis is introduced. This approach overcomes the
deficiencies of the past approach, in the sense that sensitivity
analysis is carried out for achievable variation in
variables rather than an arbitrary variation. The third
model of computer aided design may be used once the designer
has identified the variables, the variation of which,
influences the required freight rate most. The use of the
third model of the ship design may be adequate in identifying
the total risk of the project. Together with sensitivity
analysis, the designer can evaluate the total risk involved
in an investment since the third model also incorporates a
simple approach to risk analysis. However three estimates
are required in the third model compared to single estimates
of variables in the first and the second model. The fourth
model incorporates the risk analysis by Monte Carlo method
of simulation. In this model the designer can assess the
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total risk of the project by generating the risk profile of
the Required Freight Rate. The designer must either subjectively
or objectively input the probability distribution of
each of the influencing variables before using the fourth
model.
The four computer aided design models form a complete
suite of computer programs, which can either be used in a
deterministic mode, (first and second model), or in a
probabilistic mode, (third and fourth model). Compared to
previous ship design algorithms developed solely to deal
with deterministic phase, this thesis incorporates ideas on
how to incorporate uncertainty and assess risk in capital
investment in a shipping venture.
The designer can either use these computer models in
stages, from deterministic phase to probabilistic phase
or the models can be used on their own.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: V Naval Science > VM Naval architecture. Shipbuilding. Marine engineering
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
• Supervisor's Name: Cameron, Dr. R.M.
• Date of Award: 1982
• Depositing User: Ms Mary Anne Meyering
• Unique ID: glathesis:1982-4845
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 16 Jan 2014 14:54
• Last Modified: 16 Jan 2014 14:56
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/4845