The dynamic behavior of wharf with rubber fender subjected to berthing impact

Abstract

In this study the dynamic behavior for a bridge type wharf system incorporated with typical HP or π type rubber fender system is studied when subjected to berthing impact of large cargo ships. Firstly, the type and size of the fender and the material behavior are taken into examination and comparisons are made between the modeling results and the experimental data. Through a simplified material model for the selected type offender, the behavior of the material can be predicted during the analysis of the structural movement. The traditional analytical method of energy absorption from the fender to estimate the defection and the reactive force to the wharf structure is modified by applying the momentum effect of the ship berthing. Then the dynamic effect can be evaluated through the duration in addition to the magnitude of the exerting reactions on the wharf. It is found that for the same input energy of ship berthing the momentum plays an important role too. Particularly for the ship with heavier weight but less berthing speed, the larger momentum causes larger vibration amplitude on the wharf. For the berthing motion with same energy and momentum, the reactive capability of the fender may play a more important role and this is widely dependent on the type of fenders.