Keywords: optimization, nature-inspired algorithms, artificial immune systems, constraint-handling methodologies, adaptive penalty method, submarine pipeline routes.

Traditionally, the selection of a pipeline route for offshore applications has been manually performed by the engineer, by manual inspection of the seabed bathymetry and the available information regarding obstacles. Eventually the evaluation of a given route may be performed using analysis tools, but in any case the process is highly dependent on the expertise of the engineer. Therefore, it should be recognized that the selection a submarine pipeline route with good performance and low cost must indeed be formally described and treated as a synthesis and optimization problem.

Previous papers [1,2] have described the preliminary steps of the development of a computational tool, based on genetic algorithms, for the synthesis and optimization of submarine pipeline routes. In this tool, each randomly generated candidate route is evaluated in terms of several criteria that are incorporated in an objective function. Such a function takes into account the relevant aspects that should be considered in the selection of a route, such as the total pipeline length; and considering several constraints derived from the bathymetry and sonography data, including declivity; obstacles and regions that should be avoided; as well as the number, length and location of free spans to be mitigated along the routes.

In this context, the present work is focused on the implementation and study of different evolutionary algorithms (including the artificial immune system), and of an adaptive penalty method intended to deal more efficiently with those constraints, when compared with the static penalization method that is usually applied with evolutionary methods.

It is expected that the application of such a tool may reduce the design time required to assess an optimal pipeline route, while reducing computational overheads and providing more accurate results (avoiding mistakes with route interpretation), ultimately minimizing costs with respect to submarine pipeline design and installation.

1

I.N. Vieira, C.H. Albrecht, B.S.L.P. de Lima, B.P. Jacob BP, D.M. Rocha, C.O. Cardoso, "Towards a Computational Tool for the Synthesis and Optimization of Submarine Pipeline Routes", Proceedings of the Twentieth International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Beijing, China, 2010.

2

M.H.A. Lima Jr., J.S. Baioco, C.H. Albrecht, B.S.L.P. de Lima, B.P. Jacob, D.M. Rocha, C.O. Cardoso, "Synthesis and Optimization of Submarine Pipeline Routes Considering On-Bottom Stability Criteria", Proceedings of the ASME 30th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering OMAE2011, Rotterdam, 2011.

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