Structures in hydraulic engineering

Abstract

In history harbours were places of 'natural' shelter, ships could be safely anchored, however loading and unloading facilities were generally non existent apart from human labour. On the other hand ports are man made places of shelter purpose built for efficient transfer of cargo. The distinction between the words harbour and port is not always clear cut, obviously many of today's ports once started out as harbours. In the past and nowadays ports play an important role in world trade, they are part of a logistic chain transporting cargoes all over the world. Four main cargo commodities can be distinguished, viz. containers, liquid and dry bulk, and breakbulk or general cargo. The difference shows in the type of vessel being used for maritime transport, the type of handling equipment and storage within the port, and the type of hinterland transport. General reference is made to the courses CT4330 and CT5306 on Ports and Waterways. The port has to provide shelter and facilities for cargo transfer. The subject of these lecture notes is the port infrastructure that is predominantly required for cargo transfer, i.e. quays and jetties. One could always argue that (e.g.) a breakwater provides the necessary protection to be able to moor a ship along a jetty, however, the breakwater will not unload the LNG carrier whilst there will always be a weather window allowing the LNG carrier being handled at the jetty. Nowadays port infrastructure types will be described and discussed with regard to structural design and wherever possible a glimpse on the future will be revealed as developments do not stop. Some specific subjects like fendering and scour in front of the port structures will be dealt with as well.