A methodology for multidisciplinary decision making for a surface combatant main engine selection problem

Abstract

In the ship design process, delivering optimum performance while reducing development and construction costs are key considerations. A great amount of optimization effort should be done before progressing on a project. When it comes to the main engine selection phase that corresponds to the heart of the ship, the ultimate choice will affect the overall platform. However, the problem of main engine selection is, as is the overall ship design problem in general, basically a multidisciplinary and multicriterion optimization problem. In this project, we will focus on the multicriterion decision- making methodology for a surface combatant main engine selection problem. This study will consist of a collection of systematic approaches to the overall design optimization. The factors that need to be taken into consideration while selecting a main engine for a surface combatant will be discussed. We propose to develop and examine a mathematical model to analyze the main engine selection problem. The mathematical model will be comprehensively formulated, including both quantitative criteria as well as fuzzy systems, to establish an algorithm that will be able to create a unique solution or a set of Pareto solutions to the main engine selection problem.