ABSTRACT
Piles are used to resist tension loads for buoyant structures such as dry docks, basements and pumping stations. Where the hydrostatic pressure always exceeds the downward loading,as in the case of some underground tanks and pumping stations, the anchorages are permanently under tension and cable anchors may be preferred to piles. However, in the case of the shipbuilding dock «oor in Figure 6.1 for example, the anchorages may be under tension only when the dock is pumped dry before the commencement of shipbuilding. As the loadingon the «oor from ship construction increases to the stage at which the uplift pressure is exceeded, the anchor piles are required to carry compressive loads. Cable anchors might not then be suitable if the dock «oor was underlain by soft or loose soil.
