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IS 10020:2000 (Part 4) is the Indian Standard (BIS) for recommendations for design and construction of port and harbour components, part 4: slipways. This standard provides recommendations for the site selection, planning, layout, design, and construction of slipways used for launching and repairing vessels. It covers the main components like the trackway, cradle, and hauling machinery, outlining the necessary loads, materials, and stability checks for a safe and functional design.
Recommendations for design and construction of port and harbour components, Part 4: Slipways
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Geotechnical investigation is paramount for designing the foundations of the slipway track, especially the underwater sections, to prevent settlement and failure.
! The choice of hauling machinery (winch) and cradle design is critical and should be based on the maximum size and weight of vessels the slipway is intended to service.
! Scour protection at the toe (seaward end) of the slipway is essential to prevent undermining by wave and current action, ensuring long-term structural integrity.
BS 6349-3:1988BSI - British Standards Institution, UK
HighWithdrawn
Maritime structures — Part 3: Design of dry docks, locks, slipways and shipbuilding berths, shiplifts and dock and lock gates
Directly covered the design of slipways; IS 10020 is heavily influenced by this withdrawn standard.
PIANC InCom 160-2019PIANC - The World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure, International
MediumCurrent
Guidelines for Marina Design
Covers slipways and launch ramps in the context of recreational marinas, including geometry and operational aspects.
ASCE MOP No. 50ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers, USA
MediumCurrent
Planning and Design Guidelines for Small Craft Harbors, Third Edition (2012)
Provides detailed guidance on boat launching facilities (ramps/slipways) within the broader scope of small craft harbor design.
AS 3962-2020Standards Australia, Australia
MediumCurrent
Guidelines for design of marinas
Includes a dedicated section on boat ramp design, covering gradients, surfaces, and dimensions, primarily for recreational vessels.
Key Differences
≠IS 10020 is highly prescriptive, offering specific formulae and values (e.g., for hauling power). Modern international standards like those from PIANC and ASCE are more performance-based, providing principles and allowing for advanced analysis methods and engineering judgment.
≠Modern international standards place a strong emphasis on detailed seismic analysis and design, referencing specific seismic codes. IS 10020 provides only a general recommendation to consider seismic forces without detailed guidance.
≠International standards incorporate modern materials and durability considerations extensively, such as advanced concrete admixtures, geosynthetics for foundations, and specific requirements based on exposure classes (e.g., EN 206). IS 10020's material specifications are more traditional.
≠Recent international guidelines (e.g., PIANC) include significant focus on environmental impact, sustainability, and designing for climate change effects like sea-level rise, which are largely absent from IS 10020:2000.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are founded on the same core principles of structural mechanics, considering primary loads such as vessel weight, cradle weight, hauling forces, and hydrostatic pressure.
≈The fundamental components of a slipway system—the inclined way, the cradle, and the hauling machinery—are recognized as the key elements to be designed in both IS 10020 and its international counterparts.
≈Both the Indian and international standards provide similar recommendations for the longitudinal slope of the slipway, recognizing the critical trade-off between hauling power and the underwater length of the structure.
≈The concept of using load combinations to determine the worst-case design conditions is a fundamental similarity, even though the specific load factors and combination formulae may vary between the standards.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Longitudinal Slope (Gradient)
1 in 10 to 1 in 20 (up to 1 in 8 for small craft)
12% to 15% (approx. 1 in 8.3 to 1 in 6.7) for launch ramps.
PIANC InCom 160-2019
Factor of Safety for Hauling Rope
6 to 8
8 to 10 (for main hauling rope against static pull)
BS 6349-3:1988
Starting Friction Coefficient (Greased Ways)
0.10
Modern slipways primarily use wheeled cradles; rolling resistance coefficient (0.01-0.02 for steel wheel on rail) is used instead.
General Engineering Practice
Minimum Concrete Grade (Marine Splash Zone)
M30 (as per IS 456 for 'Severe' exposure)
C35/45 or C40/50 (based on EN 206 exposure class XS2/XS3)
BS 6349-1-1 (referencing Eurocodes)
Minimum Concrete Cover (Marine Splash Zone)
50 mm (for 'Very Severe' exposure as per IS 456)
55 mm (for exposure class XS3, 50-year life)
EN 1992-1-1
Design Life
Not explicitly defined (typically assumed 50 years)
Explicitly defined, typically 50 years for standard structures, up to 100+ for critical infrastructure.
BS 6349-1-1
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values4
Quick Reference Values
Typical slipway track gradient1 in 12 to 1 in 20
Typical hauling speed3 to 6 m/min
Coefficient of friction for launching (greased ways)0.02 to 0.04
Coefficient of friction for hauling (roller bearings)0.01 to 0.02
Key Formulas
P = W(sin α + µ cos α) — Hauling pull calculation for a vessel on a slope
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Site Selection and Data Collection
Clause 5 - Functional Planning and Layout of Slipway
The gradient of the trackway generally ranges from 1 in 12 to 1 in 20, depending on vessel type and hauling capacity (Clause 5.2.2).
What major loads need to be considered in slipway design?+
Design must account for dead loads, live loads (vessel weight), hauling pull, braking forces, environmental loads like waves and currents, and seismic forces where applicable (Clause 6.1).
What are the key components of a slipway system?+
The main components are the trackway (rails and foundation), the cradle (a wheeled structure to support the ship), and the hauling machinery (winch and ropes/chains) (Clause 7).