Abstract: The anti-collision device is a core part of a shiplift chamber to keep the safety of large ship lifting and becomes a focus in the acceptance of navigation facilities. In this work, we conduct prototype impact tests to evaluate the effect and reliability of such devices of the Xiangjiaba shiplift, focusing on the working procedure of a new design adopting braking cylinder with wire rope and its anti-collision mechanism. Results show that the ship running at five different speeds can be stopped by this device and its design and function are reasonable and reliable. Under the impacting of beyond-design kinetic energy at a ship speed of 0.6 m/s, the buffer cylinder reaches the first-stage overflow status, but the wire rope is below the yield strength, with its peak force of 51 t and peak stress of 254.5 MPa at the predetermined breaking point. And the longest buffer of 2.43 m still remains in the permitted range. We demonstrate that a linear relationship exists between anti-collision force and ship speed. Most of the impacting kinetic energy is transferred into the buffer cylinder power, and its dissipation is more than 75% of the total impacting energy.

Key words: shiplift, chamber, anti-collision device, working mechanics, prototype test