On the design of the gate seals of the new Panama canal locks

Abstract The paper describes the research that led to the detailed mechanical design of the J-shaped seals, which are currently mounted on the gates of the locks of the new Panama Canal. The research purpose was to provide a reliable and long lasting operation of the passive seal activation-deactivation mechanism, as well as a perfect watertight. In particular, the authors identified the operation principle of the seal, selected the suitable materials and designed the critical parts of the seal. The design was performed by means of simple analytical procedures whose accuracy has been confirmed by non linear stress–strain analysis, carried out on a very detailed finite element model.