Multi-Attribute Decision-Making Ship Structural Design

This study develops a procedure for performing multi-attribute decision-making ship structural design of a multi-purpose ship. The already designed ship is further structurally designed to comply with the requirements of the Classification Societies. The ship hull and structural components are verified against yielding, buckling, and ultimate strength. Based on the ultimate limit state (ULS), the first order reliability method (FORM) is employed to analyse the structural risk in reducing the probability of failure. The costs associated with materials, manufacturing, and labour are estimated. The structural risk analysis is performed, accounting for different hazard issues related to loss of ship, loss of cargo, loss of human life, and accidental spill of fuel and oil. The risk-based analysis is used to identify an optimum level of ship structural safety, i.e., the optimum reliability index, controlling the risk associated with the ship hull design. The study uses a multiple attribute decision-making ship design approach, simultaneously considering several objectives for different scenarios employing the Technique of Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The identified ship design solution is associated with the minimum expected total cost leading to lower construction and operational costs and risk with maximum cargo capacity and energy efficiency. The developed procedure is flexible enough to accommodate different design criteria and possible hazards during the ship's service life.