HYDRAULIC-PNEUMATIC FLOATING FENDER - ADDITIONAL IN-SERVICE TESTS, SECOND SERIES.
Abstract
Two experimental hydraulic-pneumatic floating fenders underwent in-service tests at two sites in San Diego Bay for 12 months. A previous series of in-service tests with the same fenders lasted 19 months - 14 months in a well-protected harbor (Port Hueneme, California) and then 5 months in a moderately exposed harbor (San Diego). Each fender consists of a bulkhead (50 feet long) fronted with two air-filled and two water-filled rubber bags, chains with weights to maintain the total assembly in position, and a keel with concrete ballast. Two units are necessary to serve one berth. Each fender assembly has a total minimum energy-absorption capacity of 490 inch-tons and a maximum of 2,300 inch-tons. During the second series of tests the fenders served approximately 50 naval and merchant ships satisfactorily. Despite their high combined initial and maintenance costs, the test fenders would be economical and feasible for both sheltered and exposed locations where mechanical damage by ships and biological deterioration by marine borers to fixed fender systems constitute a serious problem. The fenders should be useful in increasing the energy-absorption capacity of existing pier fender systems. The cost effectiveness of the test fenders is compared with some other new concepts which are promising and which may be more favorable than the test fenders. It is recommended that the in-service tests of the experimental fender be continued until the end of Fiscal Year 1967 and that consideration be given to testing and evaluating a floating fender system consisting of rubber tubes and assembled in a double layer between timber facings. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0648507
Entities
People
- T. T. Lee
Organizations
- Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center