Hull form optimization by shift and deformation of ship sections

A technique for reducing ship wave resistance is presented. It is based on a single B-spline patch which approximates the hull surface. A selected spe cific change of the B-spline coefficients resembles a smooth shift of the s hip sections in the longitudinal direction. An unconstrained Davidson-Fletc her-Powell (DFP) optimization procedure controls the changes. The wave resi stance is evaluated by a higher-order Rankine source panel method. The nume rical results, shown for Series 60 and the Hamburg Test Case (HTC) containe rship, prove that the method is appropriate for preliminary hull form desig n.