Rehabilitation of Gravity Wharf by Underpinning

Pierce, Frank C.; Calabretta, Victor V.; ,

Rehabilitation of Gravity Wharf by Underpinning

by Frank C. Pierce, CE Maguire Inc, Providence, RI, USA,
Victor V. Calabretta, CE Maguire Inc, Providence, RI, USA,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Ports '86

Abstract:

The Municipal Wharf at the Port of Providence, Rhode Island, is currently under rehabilitation to accommodate modern trends in marine cargo handling and shipping. The three-phased project is currently in its final stage and involved the deepening of Berths 3, 4, 5 and 6, installation of a resilient fender system, new wharf fixtures, and acquisition and installation of container cranes. Phase II has been completed and involved the installation of a pile underpinning system beneath the seawall and pressure grouting of the granite masonry. Phase II is the subject of this paper. During construction, the seawall underwent translational and rotational movement which was recorded over time. These records represent a prototypical test of a major seawall with marginal construction factors of safety. The data is presented in this paper to aid future designs of a similar nature. The paper also presents solutions developed during construction relative to drilling rates, grout loss, construction tolerances and load tests.

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