Study on the Structural Behaviour of Berthing Structure due to Variable Stack Load

Objectives: To study the structural behavior of the components of berthing structure subjected to variable stack load with and without mooring force conditions. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Linear static analysis was performed on the berthing structure subjected to variable stack load with and without mooring effects. Based on this study, equations related to bending moment and axial force of structural members of berthing structure has been obtained. A Monte Carlo simulation method was adopted for generation of random numbers using MATLAB software. From the obtained results, analysis was performed to obtain characteristics of load effects of the components of the berthing structure. Findings: The influence of variable Stack load has an effect on the Bending Moment and Axial Force of structural components of the berthing structure. It was also found that there was a significant variation of results of load effects between with and without mooring force condition in case of Vertical Pile (VP) but there was no significant variation of results of load effects on Main Cross Head Beam (MCHB), T-shaped Diaphragm Wall (TDW) and Raker Pile (RP) due to stack load. Applications/ Improvement: This study helps to predict the behavior of berthing structure subjected to varying stack load caused due to lack of awareness of end user on the loading specifications that have been assessed by the designer