The Chains Design for Marine Rubber Fender System

The Chains Design for Marine Rubber Fender System

Chains are used to restrain undesirable deformations of rubber fenders. Chains may be classified into the following categories according to their functions, and they are designed as needed.

1) Tension chain (Fig. For Role of tension chain)

・ To control the stretching of the rubber fender

・ To control the rotation of the fender panel. 

2) Weight chain (Fig. Role of weight chain)

・ To control the front drooping of the fender

・ A tension chain is needed to control the tipping forward of the fender panel if the weight chain is attached to the lower part of the panel.

3) Shear chain (Fig.Role of shear chain)

・ To control shearing of the rubber fender

In most cases, the chain tension is calculated in the process of obtaining the bending moment of the fender panel, as explained in the previous section. The load conditions must be set appropriately, and the maximum tension generated must be determined and ensured to be less than or equal to the design tension of the chain.

Not all cases of fenders with panels require chains. The requirement of chains should be carefully considered, as the installation of chain often requires that the fender panel has additional strength.