A Perspective on the Past, Present and Future of Computer-Aided Ship Design

Abstract

The work here presented is an attempted answer to an invitation by the same title by V. Bertram to the author, with the objective of propose future paths for computer-aided Ship Design tools, based on observation of past and present trends. The paper starts selecting key timeless characteristics of these tools, namely level of detailing, integration capabilities, 2D/3D modelling, analysis & simulations and data size & handling. A brief relationship among them is done to introduce low level and high level consequences. Past features and the way of handling the selected characteristics are commented in terms of nostalgia (e.g. the problems that are now solved) and regrets (e.g. the problems that we created solving older problems). Present aspects focus on an incomplete screenshot of all the parts that the current ship design toolbox offers and the vain battle to integrate these parts. Future insights are commented in terms of hopes (e.g. integration will happen), worries (e.g. but it may be expensive) and fears (an unknow hype will doom us all). An optimistic conclusion closes the paper, inspired by a 1985 article from D. Andrews, proposing data-driven ship design as a factor toward sophisticated design practices, a library of previous designs and models and open access to ship design data.