Abstract Design optimization of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) ISO tank is essential to ensure structural integrity while minimizing weight. This approach enables the identification of efficient material distributions under critical loading conditions, enhancing safety, compliance with ISO 1496 standards, and overall transport efficiency without compromising strength. This study proposes a topology optimization for the Bakelite support structure of a 40 ft LNG ISO tank that balances structural strength and weight efficiency. The optimization process incorporates two main strategies: strain energy minimization and mass retain, defined as the objective function and constrained within a 90–50% mass retain range. To ensure structural integrity and regulatory compliance, the resulting designs are evaluated under the ISO 1496 standard loading scenarios, including lifting, stacking, and racking. Initial mesh convergence study of the proposed finite element analysis model shows optimum mesh selection with optimum computational time. The topology optimization results with mass retain ranging from 90 to 50% in all loading scenarios achieved a substantial weight reduction in the Bakelite support, between 4.81 and 81.41%, by eliminating the Bakelite application in the middle support of the pressure vessel. The optimized Bakelite support slightly increases stress and deformation in both the pressure vessel and the Bakelite support, remaining within the standard criteria limits. The proposed optimization is promising in maintaining structural strength compliance with ISO 1496 standards.
Tuswan et al. (Wed,) studied this question.