Vessel Hydrodynamics and Berthed Vessel Loading Model Verification with Field Data and Laboratory Data

Larger and faster-moving deep-draft vessels in narrow waterways create pressure fields that can cause significant hydrodynamics loads on berthed vessels and shoreline structures, interrupt loading and unloading operations and cause structural damage. The Vessel Hydrodynamics Longwave Unsteady (VH-LU) and Longwave Load (VH-LL) numerical models were developed to assist in analysis of these vessel hydrodynamic problems. The modeling system development and ongoing verification efforts described here were performed by Coast & Harbor Engineering (CHE) and the Ukrainian Center of Environmental & Water Projects (UCEWP) under a grant from the U.S. Civilian Research & Development Foundation (CRDF). The hydrodynamic loads generated by passing vessel long-waves on berthed vessels or coastal structures are calculated using the VH-LL module, using hydrodynamic data output from the VH-LU model. Model hydrodynamic verifications with field data are described, including data from the Port of Oakland Inner Harbor Waterway, CA and Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, LA. The present paper also presents a verification of the hydrodynamics and berthed vessel load calculation module system performed using large-scale physical model data collected in the Netherlands Ship Model Basin reported by Remery (1974).