The paper presents a study on four adaptive sampling methods of a multi-fidelity (MF) metamodel, based on stochastic radial basis functions (RBF), for global design optimisation based on expensive CFD computer simulations and adaptive grid refinement. The MF metamodel is built as the sum of a low-fidelity-trained metamodel and an error metamodel, based on the difference between high- and low-fidelity simulations. The MF metamodel is adaptively refined using dynamic sampling criteria, based on the prediction uncertainty in combination with the objective optimum and the computational cost of high- and low-fidelity evaluations. The adaptive sampling methods are demonstrated by four analytical benchmark and two design optimisation problems, pertaining to the resistance reduction of a NACA hydrofoil and a destroyer-type vessel. The performance of the adaptive sampling methods is assessed via objective function convergence.

A data-driven and equation-free approach is proposed and discussed to forecast responses of ships maneuvering in waves, based on the dynamic mode decomposition (DMD). DMD is a dimensionality-reduction/reduced-order modeling method, which provides a linear finite-dimensional representation of a possibly nonlinear system dynamics by means of a set of modes with associated oscillation frequencies and decay/growth rates. This linear representation is entirely derived from available data and does not require the knowledge of the underlying system equations, which are and remain unknown. Based on the linear representation, DMD allows for short-term future estimates of the system state, which can be used for real-time prediction and control. Here, the objective of the DMD is the analysis and forecast of the trajectories/motions/forces of ships operating in waves, offering a complementary efficient method to equation-based system identification approaches. Results are presented for the course keeping of a free-running naval destroyer (5415M) in irregular stern-quartering waves and for the free-running KRISO Container Ship performing a turning circle in regular waves. Results are overall promising and show how DMD is able to identify the most important modes and forecast the system state with reasonable accuracy upto two wave encounter periods.

This scoping review assesses the current use of simulation-based design optimization (SBDO) in marine engineering, focusing on identifying research trends, methodologies, and application areas. Analyzing 277 studies from Scopus and Web of Science, the review finds that SBDO is predominantly applied to optimizing marine vessel hulls, including both surface and underwater types, and extends to key components like bows, sterns, propellers, and fins. It also covers marine structures and renewable energy systems. A notable trend is the preference for deterministic single-objective optimization methods, indicating potential growth areas in multi-objective and stochastic approaches. The review points out the necessity of integrating more comprehensive multidisciplinary optimization methods to address the complex challenges in marine environments. Despite the extensive application of SBDO in marine engineering, there remains a need for enhancing the methodologies’ efficiency and robustness. This review offers a critical overview of SBDO’s role in marine engineering and highlights opportunities for future research to advance the field.