Pier 6 load capacity analysis
At a glance
NAVFAC retained GHD-COWI JV to provide a condition survey, service life assessment and load capacity study of Pier 6 at Naval Base San Diego.
Our response
GHD delivers a study crucial to Navy operations.
To be able to predict the remaining service life for the pier, GHD’s team performed a site investigation, a delamination survey and material testing. A geotechnical evaluation performed by the team also helped determine that the pier capacity would be significantly compromised if future repairs were not implemented. The team then conducted a study that summarized the diminishing benefits of repairs versus full replacement of pier over time. In addition, the team prepared mobile crane load maps for the current conditions and for all future years evaluated. The team also provided a degradation model to better understand the rate at which the pier was failing, provided recommendations and alternative means to conduct pier condition assessments in the future to better plan, program, execute the pier repair and replacement projects on a “just in time” schedule.
The JV developed an approach that provides a scientific method of determining the service life of an existing structure relative to Navy operations and expected rate of deterioration and presented a report to the Navy command summarizing the findings of the study.