Quantifying ship impact loads on fenders: Experimental approach

Abstract

Docking large vessels is a delicate operation as the kinetic energy associated with the large mass of the vessel can result in high impact forces that can damage the vessel, fenders or even the quay. Berthing loads are usually quantified using design formulae based on kinetic energy and a single point of impact. Some correction factors are then used to consider the hydrodynamic mass, the ship’s angle with the quay, the softness of berthing and the berth configuration. In this study, a scaled model experimental set-up was used to determine the impact forces of a ship on the fender system, including all fenders touched by the ship, during various docking maneuvers. The pattern and magnitude of the impact forces are different for each fender and are highly dependent on the approach trajectory and mass of the ship. A comparison was made of the measured values of the impacts and the design forces calculated using widely used regulations. Our findings showed some discrepancy between maximum computed forces using kinetic energy method and measured forces, suggesting it may underestimate the maximum impact force in some scenarios.