Modifications to Coal Pier 6 Made Necessary by a Deeper Channel

Prucz, Zolan; Martin, Barney T.; Richstein, Jerry L.; ,

Modifications to Coal Pier 6 Made Necessary by a Deeper Channel

by Zolan Prucz, Modjeski and Masters, New Orleans, United States,
Barney T. Martin, Modjeski and Masters, New Orleans, United States,
Jerry L. Richstein, Modjeski and Masters, New Orleans, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Ports '92

Abstract:

In 1987 it became apparent to the Norfolk Southern Corporation that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed dredging of the Norfolk, Virginia Harbor would become a reality. Coal Pier 6, owned and operated by the Norfolk Southern Corporation, needed to be evaluated as to how this deeper channel would affect the pier. To accomplish this, a two-phased project was proposed. The first phase was to study the pier and determine the structural consequences of the dredging, the increased size of the coal vessels expected to take advantage of the deeper channel, and the modifications to the pier that would be necessary to allow berthing these larger vessels. The second phase of the project was design and plan preparation of the indicated modification. The first phase resulted in an expected size distribution of ships that would use the facility and proposed evaluation criteria. Using calculated loads resulting from several berthing scenarios for selected design vessels, a complete analysis of the pier was performed. It was determined that the soil beneath the pier would have to remain in place and that the lateral strength of the end of the pier would have to be increased. A unique retaining wall solution using grouted-in-place soil columns was proposed. In addition, to limit the loads transmitted to the pier, a new fender system was proposed. The second phase, the preparation of plans and specifications, was completed in late 1987 and the project was bid the same year. Construction was completed in 1988.

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