Elastic Fender-Dolphin Interaction for Economic Design of Berthing Dolphins

The study addresses the question of the possible design benefits when considering the interaction between a modern marine modular rubber fender and a steel tubular pile substructure of a berthing dolphin. Absorption of the berthing kinetic energy of the vessel by a dual-elasticity pile-fender berthing system is described in detail using the interactive treatment method (ITM). Application of the ITM is illustrated by a calculative example, assuming a 37,700 deadweight ton (DWT) tanker as a berthing ship, realistic geometries of large-diameter steel piles of the berthing dolphin substructure, and a family of Sumitomo $\pi \left(\mathrm{Pi}\right)$-type modular rubber fender units. By splitting the berthing kinetic energy into two parts absorbed by two elastic component elements of the dual-elasticity system of the berthing dolphin, the ITM is an effective tool for proper selection of the minimum required size (i.e., outside diameter and wall thickness) of steel piles of the berthing dolphin substructure in relation to the size of fender unit assumed. Finally, using ITM, an example analysis is performed to illustrate the influence of fender size selection on the berthing force, and the mass and stiffness of the steel-pile substructure of the berthing dolphin, as meaningful parameters influencing the most economical solution in the berthing dolphin design.