A RATIONAL DESIGN CONCEPT FOR BREASTING DOLPHINS

Breasting dolphins are marine structures appurtenant to wharves or other berthing facilities which are designed primarily to absorb energy. Such structures are used to protect the small operating platforms frequently designed for the new deep water ports which alone are incapable of withstanding the impact of berthing ships. The impact energies associated with berthing ships are examined for various factors relating to these energies. Based on past studies, it is concluded that the designer may assume that one-half of the ships kinetic energy, as calculated for a berthing velocity of 0.5 fps, will be the maximum energy to be absorbed by a single dolphin at facilities which service large vessels. The authors propose that free standing tubular piles be used as breasting dolphins at such facilities. A method for analyzing the proposed dolphin arrangement is presented from which an accurate assessment of the energy absorption characteristics of the dolphin and an economical design may be obtained. A case study, which demonstrates the analytical scheme, is examined and serves to exemplify that the computed response of a dolphin to impact is nonlinear.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the ASCE Texas Section Meeting, April 12, 1969. Study supported by Dow Chemical Company.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Reese, L C
  • O'Neill, M W
  • Radhakrishnan, N
• Publication Date: 1970-5

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 433-450
• Serial:
  • Journal of Waterways and Harbors Division
  • Volume: 96
  • Issue Number: WW2
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Docking; Impact; Offshore structures; Ship motion; Support piles
• Old TRIS Terms: Berthing impact forces; Ship impact forces
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00050923
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Maritime Research Center, Galveston
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASCE # 7291 Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 31 1974 12:00AM