Dry Docks

Book excerpt: "Hydraulic Structures are subject to varying loads of cyclic character. These loads are primarily generated by differential water heads but also by waves, drive system forces and other actions. These loads may cause fatigue damage to the steel components. As a result, the designers must take account of an additional failure mode of these structures - the failure caused by fatigue. Prior to the 1970s, fatigue was of minor or no concern for designers, constructors and managers of hydraulic structures. Several serious fatigue damages, particularly to lock gates emphasised the need for guidelines in this field. Such guidelines already exist for other steel structures, such as bridges, cranes or pressure vessels, offshore structures and airplanes. These guidelines do not, however, address all specific operation conditions and demands that apply to hydraulic structures. This report aims to offer comprehensive guidelines in the field of fatigue to all professionals involved in design, construction and management of hydraulic steel structures."--Introduction