SED 4 (ePDF) Ship Collision With Bridges

Ship Collision with Bridges The Interaction between Vessel Traffic and Bridge Structures Any structure in navigable waters constitutes a hazard to shipping and is itself vulnerable to damage or destruction in the event of vessel collision. Worldwide vessel traffic and the average size of vessels continue to increase. At the same time, ever more bridges crossing navigable waterways are being planned and constructed, sometimes with inadequate navigation clearance and/or inadequate protection. The objective of this publication is to provide information and guidelines for engineers charged with the planning and design of new bridges, navigation channels, and prevention and protection measures. It offers advice on upgrading and retrofitting existing bridges and navigation channels. And it provides the means to evaluate the safety of bridges, vessels, persons and the environment. After reviewing some basics of navigation and vessel traffic, and considering risk acceptance and collision risk, the publication examines vessel impact forces on bridges and proposes appropriate bridge design criteria. Prevention measures, such as regulations and management systems and protection measures and systems are also described. Major international research projects have provided the analytical basis for the publication, including the development of vessel collision guide specifications for the Federal Highway Administration in the USA and the vessel collision design criteria developed for the Great Belt Crossing in Denmark. Prepared by Ole Damgaard LARSEN, Chairman of the IABSE Working Group “Ship Collision with Bridges”, this 132 page publication is a must for any engineer dealing with structures in navigable waters. ISBN 3-85748-079-3