Shape optimization of trawl-doors using variable-fidelity models and space mapping

Abstract

Trawl-doors have a large influence on the fuel consumption of fishing vessels. Design and optimization of trawl-doors using computational models are key factors in minimizing the fuel consumption. This paper presents an efficient optimization algorithm for the design of trawl-door shapes using computational fluid dynamic models. The approach is iterative and uses variable-fidelity models and space mapping. The algorithm is applied to the design of a multi-element trawl-door, involving four design variables controlling the angle of attack and the slat position and orientation. The results demonstrate that a satisfactory design can be obtained at a cost of a few iterations of the algorithm. Compared with direct optimization of the high-fidelity model and local response surface surrogate models, the proposed approach requires 79% less computational time while, at the same time, improving the design significantly (over 12% increase in the lift-to-drag ratio).