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GeoEngineers’ ports experts presented two papers and contributed to two others at the recent ASCE PORTS 2010 conference April 25 – 28 in Jacksonville, Florida.
King Chin, PE, presented a paper titled “Structural-Geotechnical Procedures for New Wharf Design”, which he co-authored with Dave Phelps, PE, and a structural engineer with Moffatt & Nichol. King discussed how geotechnical and structural engineers collaborated to design a pile-supported, two-berth container terminal wharf located at the Port of Tacoma in Tacoma, Washington. The presentation and paper emphasizes the value of close collaboration between geotechnical and structural engineers who use finite difference and nonlinear static pushover models for performance-based design. This approach revealed that less ground improvement was needed than initially thought and that the number and embedment depth of foundation piles could be reduced, resulting in significantly lower estimated costs. Reducing in-ground improvement and number of piles also significantly reduced the duration of in-water work, thereby shortening the project construction schedule.
Dave Phelps presented the paper, “Vibroreplacement of Sand Within a Closed-Cell Cofferdam Wall”, which was co-authored by Sarah Hooker, EIT. He described how GeoEngineers designed a ground-improvement scheme for a large closed-cell cofferdam breakwater located in earthquake-prone Quepos, Costa Rica. Soon after the breakwater was constructed, contractors and inspectors noticed the cells were settling , creating concern for additional settlement during an earthquake. Phelps discussed how GeoEngineers used finite element modeling to develop a cost-effective and seismically resistant solution involving vibroreplacement, a deep compaction technique that adds reinforcing gravel columns and densifies sandy soils.
In addition to these two presentations, John Herzog, LG, PhD, co-authored a paper with representatives from the Port of Anacortes (WA) titled “Port of Anacortes Former Scott Paper Mill Clean-up Innovative Solution and Challenges”, which detailed the modeling and design efforts for construction of a wave attenuation structure as part of a complex clean-up project.
Morgan McArthur, PE co-authored the paper “Development of the SP-SSA International Terminal, Vietnam”, which presents the planning, design, and construction challenges associated with a modern container terminal development located in an area underlain by very soft, underconsolidated clay. The first stage of construction reclaimed the site with more than 4 million cubic yards of sand and more than 4,100 miles of wick drains. The second construction phase involved dredging and slope stabilization. The project also constructed a pile-supported quay capable of supporting multiple ship-to-shore cranes and a pile-supported barge quay.
PORTS 2010 is an international conference devoted to sustainable planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of port and harbor facilities worldwide. The event was the 12th in a series of international port and harbor development specialty conferences held by ASCE on a tri-annual basis since 1977. PORTS 2013 will be coming to Seattle, Washington.
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