The construction and maintenance of berthing
structures are very expensive and therefore the most economic
design should be adopted. To arrive at an economic design the
structural engineer has to repeat the design for different
alternatives for all loading conditions. To minimize his effort
a computing tool has become necessary.
Software BESTDESIGN has been developed using
the computer language Visual Basic and the Database MSAccess
for the analysis and design of ship berthing structures.
The software can be used for the analysis and design of new
berthing structures and can also be used for obtaining the
design aspects while reconstructing an existing structure.
The software developed was tested with the requirements at
Cochin Port. Cochin Port Trust is the authority of a number
of ship berthing structures. Some of them are to be
reconstructed and there are new projects involving the
construction of new ship berths or the extension of existing
berthing structures.