Impact of the Thruster Jet Flow of Ultra-large Container Ships on the Stability of Quay Walls

As the size of ships increases, the size and output power of their thrusters also increase. When a large ship berths or unberths, the jet flow produced from its thruster has an adverse effect on the stability of quay walls. In this study, we conducted a numerical analysis to examine the impact of the thruster jet flow of a 30,000 TEU container ship, which is expected to be built in the near future, on the stability of a quay wall. In the numerical simulation, we used the fluid–structure interaction analysis technique of LS-DYNA, which is calculated by the overlapping capability using an arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian formulation and Euler–Lagrange coupling algorithm with an explicit finite element method. As the ship approached the quay wall and the vertical position of the thruster approached the mound of the quay wall, the jet flow directly affected the foot-protection blocks and armor stones. The movement and separation of the foot-protection blocks and armor stones were confirmed in the area affected directly by the thruster jet flow of the container ship. Therefore, the thruster jet flows of ultra-large ships must be considered when planning and designing ports. In addition, the stability of existing port structures must be evaluated.