An Intelligent Monitoring System for the Force Characteristics of Floating Bollards in a Ship Lock

Abstract

Due to the large scale of navigation ships, the fast speed of entering the lock, and the irregular mooring and the complicated flow conditions in the lock chamber, it is common for the floating bollards of the lock to suffer structural damage or even failure due to the overloaded mooring force. However, the traditional cable load measurement method cannot offer real-time feedback on force characteristics of floating bollards, making it difficult to accurately judge its service status. To this end, according to the floating bollard structure type and load condition of a representative ship lock project in China, this paper determines the theoretical model parameters of a floating bollard load response based on three-dimensional finite element numerical simulation test data and constructs a modified load response model of floating bollards. On this basis, an intelligent floating bollard monitoring system based on big data, internet, and cloud services is developed to intelligently perceive real-time floating bollard force characteristics and monitor the long-term service status. Relying on a representative ship lock in China, a field test of the floating bollard intelligent monitoring system is carried out. The relative error between the calculated values via the model (i.e., system exhibition results) based on the numerical results and the field-measured values is within 15%. This result verified the accuracy and effect of the monitoring system. This research supports the establishment of the digital perception monitoring platform for ship lock facilities and improves the automation level of ship lock operation and management as well as overall risk prevention and control capabilities.

Failure analysis and Mechanical Behaviour of A60 steel Bollards Used In Port Infrastructure

“…To better understand bollard resistance and their ability to withstand damage under varying dynamic loads a variety of research projects have been undertaken. Wu et al [13] discussed the shortcomings of conventional cable load measurement techniques for floating bollards highlighting the requirement for immediate feedback on the properties of force. The study uses 3D finite element simulations to determine theoretical model parameters for a floating bollard load response using data from a representative ship lock project in China.…”

“…In a field test, it creates an intelligent monitoring system that integrates big data the internet and cloud services and shows accuracy. According to the previous study [13], ship lock automation and general risk prevention can be improved by implementing a digital perception monitoring platform. Pin et al [14] suggested a novel approach for monitoring mooring bollard structural safety.…”