Structural Dynamics and Hydrodynamics of a Ship Fende
In maritime engineering, a Fender is a high-performance energy absorption interface designed to protect the "Hull" of a vessel and the "Berthing Structure" (pier or quay) during docking.
The physics of a fender revolve around "Reaction Force" and "Energy Absorption."
Pneumatic or foam-filled fenders utilize the compressibility of air or open-cell structures to dissipate the kinetic energy of a berthing ship. The "Performance Curve" of a fender is calculated by the work done ($Work = Force \times Distance$) as the fender compresses. High-end fenders are coated with "Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene" (UHMW-PE) face pads, which have a low coefficient of friction. This allows the ship to slide against the fender during tidal changes without causing "Shear Stress" on the mounting chains or the vessel’s skin.