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INSTRUCTORS:
Rusty Ruskamp
Dana Pendleton
Course Length: 1 hour
Purpose and Background
This presentation was recorded at the 2026 CI & CRC Joint Conference.
This presentation examines the engineering behind floating, transporting, and installing massive precast monoliths for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard dry dock modernization project. It details the constraints imposed by tidal variation, existing dry dock operations, and super-flooding requirements, which prevented traditional cofferdam construction and drove the need for buoyancy-assisted temporary works. The session explains how hydrostatics tables, ballast modeling, and custom buoyancy assist tanks were developed to control draft, stability, and center-of-gravity alignment for monoliths weighing up to 3,800 tons. Attendees will see how iterative weight optimization, precast and cast-in-place concrete strategies, and open-bottom air-driven ballast systems enabled safe float-in operations at all tide levels. The presentation provides a detailed look at the analytical tools, mechanical systems, and field-ready documentation used to execute one of the most complex temporary works challenges in modern dry dock construction.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Analyze how tidal conditions, site constraints, and super-flooding requirements influence temporary-works design and the selection of buoyancy-assisted construction methods for large precast marine structures.
- Evaluate the use of hydrostatics tables, ballast modeling, and buoyancy-assist tanks to control draft, stability, and center-of-gravity alignment during the floating, transport, and installation of multi-thousand-ton monoliths.
- Apply principles of weight optimization, precast and cast-in-place concrete integration, and open-bottom air-driven ballast systems to develop safe and constructible float-in and set-down procedures for complex dry dock construction.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-test assessment (true-false, multiple choice, and/or fill in the blank questions).
Who Should Attend?
- Structural Engineer
- Port Engineer
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Construction Engineer
- Design-Build Project Engineer
- Construction Project Manager
How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 365 days of the course purchase.
How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?
1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]