An automated computational method for planing hull form definition in concept design

This paper describes the development of a computer-based method for producing chined planing boat hull forms adequate to be applied in concept design. The method is based on a principle where the designer specifies a small set of critical parameters he/she wishes obtain or keep preserved and generates a complete hull form, without the traditional skilled recourse of giving stations point by point. From this set of parameters a detailed and faired drawing with offsets is generated very quickly. The method allows, in its execution mode, the flexibility to modify, adjust and enlarge the input set of parameters. The method was created to allow both (1) automated hull form definitions when integrated to an existing computer system and (2) quick but detailed preliminary calculations of stability, lift and drag, volumes and internal space allocations, sea-keeping estimates, etc., all with very reasonable precision. As application examples some planing boat hull forms are generated. Some are typical and others less usual. The later ones are defined to show the method's limits, in order to validate it.