CONSIDERATIONS ON THE PROBLEM OF FENDERING SYSTEMS

Abstract

Two problems arise : (a) What performances can reasonably be expected of fendering systems? (b) Once these performances have been established, how should the fendering system be constructed ? The first of these questions, which the author has barely touched on, involves the calculation of probabilities and a rational solution could only be found on the basis of copious and reliable statistics. The second question is dealt with much more comprehensively, the different systems used are reviewed, their advantages and disadvantages are compared and the conclusion reached is that every time the amount of energy to be absorbed may happen to be larger than expected, a dashpot type of shock-absorber would seem to be the most efficient system. Consequently, the author focuses his discussion on this solution and establishes a mathematical theory making it possible either to design a dashpot for a given problem or to calculate the operating characteristics for a given dashpot under given conditions.