Fenders for pier protection against vessel collision
View Patent ↗A system is disclosed for protecting supporting structures, such as those of a bridge or other such marine supporting structure, from the force of an impact of a vehicle/vessel. Such a system includes a plurality of modular components arranged in series and configured to dissipate the energy of the force through the progressive buckling of one or more of the modular components. Each modular component contains an energy dissipation unit that includes a plurality of adjacent cells. The energy of the force is dissipated in the buckling of the walls of the cells of the energy dissipation units through the formation of one or more plastic hinges and/or volume reduction of the cells.
1. A method for dissipating an applied force, comprising:
providing a system, comprising:
a plurality of modular components comprising;
a left side plate;
a right side plate;
a front strut;
a rear strut;
a front left column joining the left side plate and the front strut;
a front right column joining the right side plate and the front strut;
a rear left column joining the left side plate and the rear strut;
a rear right column joining the right side plate and the rear strut;
a plurality of energy dissipation units disposed inside each modular component, each energy dissipation unit comprising a plurality of cells;
a first end; and
a second end, the modular components arranged in series between the first end and the second end
such that the applied force contacts a first modular component of the series;
dissipating the applied force by buckling at least one cell wall of the cells of the energy dissipation unit of the first modular component of the series;
upon the buckling of at least one cell wall of the cells of the energy dissipation unit of the first modular component, transferring remaining force to a next adjacent modular component in the series until at least one of all of the applied force has been dissipated and no further adjacent modular components remain in the series;
wherein the plurality of modular components is configured to attach to a marine structure.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cells are hollow tubes.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the hollow tubes are arranged rows such that each hollow tube may buckle or hinge without contacting an adjacent hollow tube of the same row.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of modular components are configured to rest on a surface of a body of water.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applied force is an impact of a marine vessel.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the marine structure is one of a pier and a piling.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of modular components are configured to telescope as the plurality of modular components are compressed.
8. A method of dissipating a force, comprising:
providing a plurality of modular components, each of said modular components containing an energy dissipation unit positioned inside each modular component, each energy dissipation unit comprising a plurality of cells;
arranging the plurality of modular components in a series between a first end and a second end and such that the force is applied to the second end; and
dissipating the force applied to the second end through progressive buckling of at least one modular component and buckling of at least one cell wall of the cells;
wherein the plurality of modular components attach to a marine support structure.
9. A method of protecting a marine structure from an applied force, comprising:
arranging a plurality of modular components in series having a first end and a second end;
attaching the first end of the series to the marine structure such that the plurality of modular components are in proximity to a water line and the second end extends away from the marine structure;
wherein the plurality of modular components each have at least one energy dissipation unit disposed inside; and
wherein each energy dissipation unit comprises a plurality of cells.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the cells are hollow tubes.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the hollow tubes are arranged in rows such that each hollow tube may buckle or hinge without contacting an adjacent hollow tube of the same row.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of modular components are configured to rest on a surface of a body of water.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the marine structure is one of a pier and a piling.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of modular components are configured to telescope as the plurality of modular components are compressed.
15. A marine fender, comprising:
a plurality of modular components;
a plurality of energy dissipation units disposed inside each modular component;
wherein each energy dissipation unit comprises a plurality of cells;
wherein the plurality of modular components is arranged in series having a first end attached to a marine structure and a second end extending away from the marine structure; and
wherein the fender is configured to dissipate impact energy applied to the second end through progressive buckling of at least one modular component and buckling of at least one cell wall of the plurality of cells.
16. The fender of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of cells are comprised of hollow tubes arranged in rows.
17. The fender of claim 16 , wherein the hollow tubes are arranged such that each but may buckle or hinge without contacting an adjacent tube.
18. The fender of claim 15 , wherein each modular component comprises:
a left side plate;
a right side plate;
a front strut;
a rear strut;
a front left column joining the left side plate and the front strut;
a front right column joining the right side plate and the front strut;
a rear left column joining the left side plate and the rear strut; and
a rear right column joining the right side plate and the rear strut.