Various methods for analyzing U-shaped dry dock and waterway lock structures are covered by this paper. Included are reports of approaches evolving over the last century as were performed in the United States of America (USA), West Germany, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). These reported investigations deal with the use of analytical models and how they are related to the measurements obtained from actual structures. A major problem is the determination of the lateral pressure on lock walls. This is so because the pressure depends on the lock wall movements which are caused by such varied factors as fluctuating water levels and temperatures within the chamber, and densification of the backfill. The USA publications are more readily available to WES; therefore, the emphasis in this paper is placed on those of Germany and the USSR. Keywords: Dry-docks; Locks (hydraulic engineering); U-frame locks.