Slipway Pile Footing Stiffness and Transient Launch Loads

Abstract

This paper presents information on the necessity of accounting for the effect of transient ship launch loads on inclined longitudinal slipway structures when evaluating the design stiffness of the pile footing. A considerable increase in the stiffness is registered in comparison with such structure's resistance under static loads conditions. The introduction of an additional factor of operating condition, to increase the design bearing capacity of piles under instantaneous loads is substantiated.