SHIP COLLISION ON LOCK GATES – TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS AND SIMULATION APPROACHES

A ship colliding with a lock gate can result in severe structural damage and disrupt the lock operations. For heavily trafficked waterways containing locks such disruption of the lock operation can result in severe economic consequences if the gate has to be repaired, both for the lock operator and for the delayed ships. Consequently, the consequences of a ship colliding with a lock gate must be assessed. Therefore, this paper will present current regulatory requirements and recommendations including gate protection systems. Furthermore, simulation methods will be presented to allow for a direct assessment of the structural consequences. Thus, these methods will potentially lead to new structural design considerations as well as operational limitations in terms of specific ship approach velocities to remain below critical impact energies and thus allow for an undisrupted lock operation.