Design and analysis of a full scale prototype collision tolerant pile structure

This project involves the design and analysis of a prototype full scale collision tolerant pile structure (CTPS). The CTPS is designed to be used as a supporting structure for aids to navigation in shallow ship channels where exact location of the channel is critical. The currently used wooden piles are often destroyed when involved in collisions and are both timely and expensive to replace. The CTPS design involves a single rigid 37 foot, 18 inch diameter pile installed in a design water depth of 20 feet. The pile is hinged at the mudline with a fully articulated omnidirectional hinge that is capable of 90° angular displacements from vertical. When a collision is sustained the CTPS deflects away from the upright position