Marine fenders act as a safeguard in boats and vessels. They ensure the safe docking of the ships by absorbing the impact. However, many people wonder how these fenders perform their duty so perfectly. Several tests are conducted to ensure their excellent performance. Are you curious about how to do the Fender performance testing?
Knowing these performance tests is crucial, especially if you are in the marine field. These tests ensure that the fenders you have bought or prepared are safe to use. Are you new to that testing system? Worry not! In this article, I will discuss how to conduct fender performance testing straightforwardly. So, let’s begin!
Why is Fender Testing Important?
As I said above, fender testing ensures they are working correctly. Fenders whose performance is not satisfactory are not used for the vessels. Over time, fenders’ quality degrades, so this testing helps determine whether they are usable. Here is the list that indicates the importance of fender testing.
- The fender testing system ensures that fenders are durable. They can absorb shock and vibrations without damage. In this way, they save the structures of the ships and vessels.
- A fender that passes these tests has a long life span. Its structure is robust and can withstand the harsh environment of the oceans.
- A tested fender saves your cost. When you don’t test a fender, it malfunctions repeatedly. Their repair cost is much higher. But a tested fender gives you peace of mind regarding durability. So, the chances of wear and tear are much less.
- A fender testing system ensures safety, but fenders that are not tested are more prone to accidents due to poor structure. The fender performance testing ensures that fenders can perform efficiently in busy ports.
Steps in Conducting Fender Performance Testing
I am pretty sure your mind has grasped the importance of fender testing. Right? Remember, this testing is done on fenders that have been in use for several years. You don’t need such performance testing if you have relatively newer fenders. Now, let’s dive and explore the steps involved in conducting the performance tests.
1- Setting Up Equipment
Fender testing starts with selecting a testing site. I don’t recommend conducting this testing in humid areas. Additionally, you’ll need some tools to start. It is best to prepare those tools and machines before starting the testing. It will save you time during the testing.
Primary tools include pressure and temperature measuring tools, load cells, and environmental chambers. Ensure all tools are working accurately, as malfunctioning will affect the results. Secondly, you should check the fender with your naked eyes first. If it is damaged from any side, testing it does not make sense.
2- Perform the Compression Test
Once you have made a complete setup for testing, it’s time to conduct tests. Among a series of tests, the first test is the compression test. This test checks the energy-absorbing ability of the marine fenders. Before performing this test, I want to remind you of some considerations, such as checking the compression machine.
This machine holds and compresses the fender. Make sure that it has controlled-level compression. After that, place the fender inside this machine. The position of the fender matters a lot. A wrongly positioned fender will deteriorate even under a very low load. So, place it precisely as per real-time placement.
Slowly apply the load in a controlled manner. Check to what extent the fender can bear the load. After using the maximum load, bring the fender out of the machine. Check how the fender behaved under the machine. Notice the wear on each side. If you don’t find any ruptures, proceed to the next step.
Destaque rápido: Compression testing is the most critical part of Fender performance testing. Why? Fenders generally face pressure during use and compress upon impact. So, this compression test emulates those conditions by compressing it. A fender that sustains this testing is durable, and vice versa.
3- Conduct the Shear Test
In the shear testing, the force is applied parallelly. This material force tests how marine fenders behave in case of unwanted force during docking. Moreover, it indicates the stability of the fender in heavy loads. However, the question arises: How do we conduct this test? Let me explain it simply. Firstly, you must use a shear testing machine that applies lateral force.
Place the fender in this machine in an accurate position. Attach a load cell to this machine that measures the force applied. Then, start applying shear force in a controlled manner. Keep your eyes on the fender and notice its behavior. Ensure you apply the force up to the specific limit. Observe the changes that occur in the fender’s structure.
Furthermore, the shear test data will be recorded in document form. This includes measuring the maximum shear force and the limit to which the fender can withstand it. In case of failure, record the reason for failure. This will help in the re-manufacturing process. If a fender passes this test, you can declare it safe to endure heavy loads.
4- Weather Resistance Test
This test checks the durability of the marine fenders. As you know, marine fenders face harsh weather conditions in oceans, such as salty water. Moreover, temperature fluctuation and VU exposure are other factors that affect fenders. So, this test reveals the strength of the structure of the defensas marítimas in those conditions.
Real-time conditions are applied to perform this test. HOW? This test is performed in an environmental chamber. This chamber contains all the harsh conditions that a fender faces. For example, this chamber contains a setup for UV exposure, temperature fluctuations, and salty water.
So, simply place the fender in this chamber. Apply those conditions individually and analyze the fender’s response to each condition. Make sure that these conditions are applied in a very controlled manner. It is durable and suitable if the fender remains in good shape after these harsh conditions.
Destaque rápido: These environmental chambers also expose the fenders to different temperatures. Remember, marine fenders undergo different heat levels during their usage. So, testing them against the temperature parameter is also crucial. These chambers can provide both extremely low and high temperatures.
5- Energy Absorption & Reaction Force Testing
Both energy absorption and reaction force play vital roles in fenders’ performance. Energy absorption testing determines how much energy a fender absorbs when facing an impact. Remember, fenders absorb energy during eclosion with docking structures. A good fender will absorb more energy and vice versa.
An energy absorption testing machine is used in this process. The fender place is where the machine is hit hard. The machine checks the level of energy absorption. Similarly, checking the reaction force of the fenders is done through dedicated machines. Reaction force indicates how much force a fender exerts once it is compressed.
In the reaction force test, the fender is compressed with load. Once it is fully compressed, the machine releases the pressure suddenly. The fender exerts some force and returns to its normal position. The machine detects the amount of force exerted by the fender. The fender should exert maximum force. In this way, it will regain its original rigidity after facing compression.
6- Analyzing Test Results
Have you followed me and conducted all the tests? Now is the time to evaluate those test results. This final step reveals the actual condition of the Fender. So, simply collect the data that you gathered from each test. That could be in photographs or numerical form. For better analysis, spread all gathered data in the table.
After that, inspect each data. For example, analyze how the Faender showed results in the compression test. Moreover, inspect up to which limit it withstood the shear force. In the environmental chamber, how did the fender behave? All these observations will give you the final result regarding the durability and safety of the fender.
Perguntas frequentes
Is Fender performance testing manual or automated?
Fender performance testing is automated. It can also be performed manually. However, the chances of human errors will increase, so you will not get the required results. I recommend using machines to automate the testing process.
How difficult is performance testing?
The difficulty of Fender performance testing depends on many factors. It is not difficult if you have a proper testing site and all the necessary tools. You just need to prepare those tools and analyze the results.
What are Fender performance testing types?
The Fender testing system includes several types of tests. Those include
- Shear test
- Weather test
- Teste de compressão
- Reaction force test
- Energy absorption test
Conclusão
Fender performance testing is a series of several tests that ensure the durability of marine fenders. In this article, I have discussed the complete process of performing those tests. Each test is of utmost value as it determines the condition of the fender.
The main tests are compression, shear, energy absorption, and weather resistance tests. All these tests should be conducted in a controlled way. A minor mistake in any step can affect the overall results. Moreover, I recommend using only tested marine fenders. Those fenders promise durability, keeping the vessel’s body safe.