Numerical Study of Lateral Response of Berthing Structures by Considering Soil-Structure Interaction

This paper presents results of a numerical study of the lateral response of berthing structures by considering soil-structure interaction. Most marine terminals are equipped with a deep water berthing facility. The vessels berth to dedicated breasting dolphins and are restrained by mooring dolphins. These structures comprised of a large cap and supporting piles and are normally subjected to large lateral loads compared to their masses, which present complex analysis and design challenges to engineers. In order to gain a better understanding of soil-pile interaction of such structures under lateral loading, a numerical investigation which combines the differential equations for beam-column with finite difference and discrete methods has been conducted using GROUP software. Interest is focused on the p-y curves, and lateral deflection and bending moment of the piles in berthing structures. A group of drilled shaft piers with rigid cap representing a breasting dolphin are analyzed laterally using theoretical p-y curves generated by software as well as experimental p-y curves produced using the method of pressuremeter tests (PMT). Parametric study including dredging effect, permanent steel casing, and pile head boundary condition are also presented, and parameters influencing the overall structure response are identified and discussed. The results demonstrate good agreement between two analyses associated with theoretical and experimental p-y curves.