The use of FEM analyses as a support tool for optimizing ship design process, and thus the construction and ultimate operation
The key feature of the ships built today is the safety of their construction. In addition to protecting human life, the capability of operating in difficult conditions at sea and protecting natural environment is crucial. Furthermore, minimizing the risk of accidents and the costs of potential repairs, and thus high compensation payments, is also one of the key objectives of the shipbuilding process. The whole project must also be cost-effective and comply with agreed implementation schedules. The answer to these challenges is to optimize ship design in terms of quantity and weight of construction materials used. To this end, design offices use dedicated, specialized software to increase both precision and efficiency of strength calculations, as well as to comply with customer requirements and classification regulations and ensure the safety of the structure, while taking into account also the final cost of building the vessel.