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What Are Fender Piles?
Fender piles are used to protect water front structures like concrete decks from ships or barges that may cause damage due to abrasion or impact. These piles were originally made of timber, but now they can be made of wood, steel, or concrete, depending on the design. Concrete fender piles can also be strengthened using prestressing techniques.
Dolphins are also used to protect marine structures from ship impacts. They are man-made structures that extend out from the water level and are constructed by driving piles in a line, then connecting them above water level.
Timber fender piles are cheaper to install and maintain in the long run than steel fender piles.
Purpose Of Fender Pile
The primary purpose of a fender pile is to absorb the kinetic energy of boats and ships that come into contact with the waterfront structure.
When a ship hits a fender pile, the pile acts as a buffer, reducing the force of the impact and reducing the potential for damage to the pier or dock. Fender piles are often made of wood, steel or concrete, and are installed at strategic locations along the waterfront structure to provide maximum protection.
Fender piles can be found in a variety of settings, including commercial ports, marinas and recreational boating facilities. They play a vital role in ensuring the safety of ships and the longevity of shore structures.
Summing Up
Pile fenders are a type of structure that has specific characteristics and applications. These fenders are designed for single ship or panel contact, which can potentially reduce the need for substructures in existing quay walls. Pile fenders are capable of withstanding high impact levels and are suitable for use in terminals with low deck levels.
The applications of pile fenders include container and bulk terminals, oil and gas terminals, ferry and RoRo terminals, and terminals with sheet pile walls or pile structures with concrete capping beams. These fenders are particularly useful in these types of terminals because they can provide effective protection against ship impact and help to prevent damage to the terminal infrastructure.