Introduction
Fender units have a very good ratio between energy absorption and force. Dolphin piles equipped with fender units can be designed with a smaller diameter and/or wall thickness. The dimensions of panels in front of a fender are designed to protect the hull of the vessel against berthing and mooring reactions to the maximum required hull pressure specifications. Allowable hull pressures for different types of vessels can be found in PIANC 2002 [3.21].
In the case of a single steel dolphin pile in combination with a fender system, the energy absorbed by the dolphin pile can be added...