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Fender Panel Design
Fender panels are critical to the correct performance of the fender system. It’s used to distribute the reaction forces to the hull of berthing vessels. Many factors should be considered for the design calculation, such as hull pressure and tidal range, steel grade, bending, service life and so on. 

Recommended minimum thickness for steel in fender panels are: 
* Plates exposed on two surfaces: 12mm 
* Plates exposed on one surface: 9~10mm 
* Internal mernbers (not exposed): 8mm

Hull Pressure

Hull pressure vary greatly with the class and size ship. PIANC gives the following advice on hull pressure:

Hull Pressure Guide

Type of Vessel

Hull Pressure 
kN/m2

Conteriner vessels 1st and 2nd generation

< 400

    3rd generation (Panamax)

< 300

    4th generation

< 250

    5th and 6th generation (Superpost Panamax)

< 200

General Carge Vessels

    ≤ 20,000 DWT

400~700

    > 20,000 DWT 40

< 400

Oil Tankers

    ≤ 60,000 DWT

< 300

    > 60,000 DWT 40

< 350

VLCC

    Gas Carriers (LNG/LPG)

< 200

    Bulk Carriers

< 200

    SWTH

Belted

    RO-RO Vessels

    Passenger Vessels


 
Hull pressures are calculated using the frontal panel area(excluding lead-in chamfers) as follows:

P=ΣR / A1xB1 ≤ PP

Where 

P: Hull Pressure(N/m2, psi)
ΣR: Combined Reaction Forces of all rubber fenders
A1: Valid Panel Width excluding lead-in chamfers(m)
B1: Valid Panel Height excluding lead-in chamfers(m)
PP: Permissible hull pressure(N/m2, psi)

Approximate Hull Pressure for other fender types:

The above formula and table apply to berths fitted with frontal panel systems. However, many berths use Cylindrical and Arch fenders safely and without damaging the ship's hull, despite the fact that these fenders exert higher hull pressures. The Arch Fenders have hull pressures of 760~1300kN/m2. Cylindrical Fenders have 460~780kN/m2. Also bear in mind that when cylindrical fenders are used with large chains or bar fixings through the central bore, the hull pressure will be higher to approximately double the above figures. Again there is no evidence to show that this causes hull damage.
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