An Effective Mesh Deformation Approach for Hull Shape Design by Optimization

A method for the morphing of surface/volume meshes suitable to be used in hydrodynamic shape optimization is proposed. Built OpenFOAM environment, it relies on a Laplace equation that propagates modifications surface boundaries, realized by applying free-form deformation subdivision description geometry, into computational volume mesh initially built through combination BlockMesh with cfMesh. The feasibility and robustness this technique, as computationally efficient pre-processing tool, demonstrated case resistance minimization DTC hull. All hull variations generated within relatively large design space are efficiently successfully realized, i.e., without inconsistencies quality issues, only deforming initial reference geometry. Coupled surrogate model approach, significant reduction calm water resistance, extent 10%, has been achieved reasonable time.