ABSTRACT
Dock entrance structures act as the primary barrier preventing rapid dock flooding. In dry docks used for nuclear powered vessels, the gates have to be of extreme high integrity and seismically qualified. This paper describes the development of a design standard for steel dock entrance closures specifically targeted at those UK docks which are required to meet the exacting reliability status demanded by the Nuclear Industry. The Standard includes specific guidance on seismic analysis and on steelwork design for both the static and seismic loading conditions. The paper includes comment on background philosophy; on seismic analysis and on achieving lifetime confidence in structural performance. The complete Standard, and accompanying Commentary, are available from the Ministry of Defence at Abbey Wood.
