Rubber fenders without fender panels

V-type rubber fenders are considered as rubber fenders without fender panels. A V-type rubber fender has a V-shaped cross section with steel plates embedded in the fixing flange portion for installation. The fender has the same cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction. Since the rubber comes in direct contact with the vessel hull,partial damage is likely to occur. Energy absorption occurs only due to the contact length, and the contact pressure is high.

Although these are notable disadvantages, V-type rubber fenders have the following advantages.

(1) The application range is wide because the length can be adjusted.

(2) Since such fenders exhibit buckling-type performance, the energy absorption is large even for small-sized fenders.

V-type rubber fenders were widely used as the first rubber fenders with buckling-type performance. The typical cross-sectional shapes and installation of V-shaped rubber fenders are shown in Fig

V-type rubber fenders can be widely applied according to the conditions of ports and vessels by changing the length and mounting arrangement. Typical mounting arrangements  ship has a belt on the hull, the effective berthing energy can be absorbed by the horizontal fenders, although the hull belt may ride on the fender and damage it. Furthermore, in the case of vertical installation, if a horizontal hull belt is present,the load is concentrated since contact occurs only at the intersection.

In such a case, alternate vertical and horizontal installation can be employed; the effective berthing energy is absorbed by the horizontal fenders, while the vertical fenders prevent the belt from being lifted. Alternatively, the rubber fenders with panels, as described in the previous section, can be applied.