Abstract: A comparative analysis on the effects of complex foundation on dock shiplock structure was made by using nonlinear finite element simulations of three types of foundation, i.e. complex soil of prototype, homogeneous type, and simplified type, focusing on the deformation and stress distribution of the shiplock structure. The analysis shows the differences of these three models in the settlement of foundations and structures and their effects on deformation and internal force distribution. Significant differences between the models of complex foundation and homogeneous soils in calculation of deformation and stress, reveal the importance of foundation features. Similar results of the simplified model and complex soil model indicate that if a simplified model is reasonable, it can give good results and simplify calculation.