Abstract: At present, most of the researches on the response of a pile-supported wharf do not consider the crane structure or simplify a crane structure as a lumped mass. As such, there is lack of detailed modeling for the crane-wharf interaction. A three-dimensional finite element model of a crane-wharf system is created using an open-source OpenSees computational platform. The dynamic response of a pile-supported wharf with and without cranes are compared and analyzed, combining with the modal characteristics of the crane. The influence of a crane on the response of a wharf structure during earthquake is explored. The computed results show that: the dynamic behavior of the crane is mainly reflected in the swing of legs, of the frame structure and of the girder based on model analysis results; the crane changes the distribution of internal forces and the position of the maximum internal force for the wharf structure, which will change the failure mode of the wharf structure; the influence of the crane on the maximum shear force and bending moment on the pile depends on specific earthquake time instant. The computed results have a theoretical significance and application value for the study of seismic response and technology of the crane-wharf interaction system, and provide a reference for the numerical simulation of similar systems.