Due to the deterioration of existing timber fender systems in waterfront facilities, high performance composite replacement components for these structures re in demand. The performance criteria for these replacement components must meet or exceed the performance of existing timber systems. For this reason, a reliability analysis of existing timber fender systems has been performed to (1) establish the level of performance in existing timber fender systems and (2) establish target performance levels for new composite replacement components. The design of waterfront fender systems is based on applied energy rather that applied loads. The most widely used and accepted method for determining the applied energy created by the berthing ship is the kinetic energy method. Based upon the applied kinetic energy of the berthing ship and the response of the timber elements, a load model was developed to investigate affect of several parameters on the system reliability. Investigations to determine the effect of correlation between material properties on structural safety were conducted, and showed that as the correlation increases, safety increases. The affects of load-duration assumptions on the structural safety were also investigated to illustrate the differences in existing fender system desing criteria and current timber design standards. Also, the effect that reduced variability in material properties on structurla safety was investigated. The results of the analysis on the timber systems are being used to set a standard for wood plastic composite elements, which will be used as replacement components in these systems.
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