Analytical Determination of Longitudinal Forces on the Vessels During Filling of the Navigation Lock

Abstract The basic parameter for the calculation of the lock filling time is the determination of the forces on the vessels during the filling of the navigation lock. The time required to fill the lock determines the method of filling the lock. The forces on vessels during filling (emptying) directly determine the capacity of the waterway. In the first phase of the lock design, the forces on the vessels during locking are calculated analytically. Most approaches to calculate the forces on vessels are concerned only with finding the maximum value of the forces on vessels. This research deals with the analytical determination of the maximum forces on vessels during the lock filling period. Data from the physical model and the 1D model are used to calculate the maximum forces on the vessels. This simple method can be used to design a new lock. This simple method can be used to design a new lock and to increase the capacity of existing historic locks on the Elbe-Vltava Waterway (Czech Republic) without any structural modifications.