![]() Fixed utility terminals are generally provided along the bullrail, close to the edge of the pier or wharf. Piers and wharves not only provide mooring for ships, but also connect utilities from ships to shore. For a multi-berth facility, the total length should equal the length of the largest ships that will be accommodated at the same time, plus allowances for 100 feet between ships and 50 feet beyond the outermost moored ships. For a single-berth facility, the total length of a pier or wharf should be as long as the overall length of the largest ship that will be accommodated, plus 50 feet at each end. When planning a pier and wharf facility, contractors must analyze the characteristics of the ships to be berthed and understand the support services to be provided in order to determine the dimensions and clearances which will be necessary for a successful facility’s design. If both sides of a moored ship must be accessed, two parallel piers with a slip in between them may be preferred for the location of this type of facility. They typically require a magnetic north/south orientation. Finally, approach dolphins can be used to protect the end of a pier or slip requiring protection from incoming ships.ĭegaussing/Deperming facilities are an integral part of many piers and wharves. A turning dolphin is used to guide ships into a berth or away from known obstructions a mooring dolphin may sometimes be designed to act as a turning dolphin. A breasting dolphin can be used for roll-on/roll-off facilities and at fueling terminals where full-length piers or wharves are not required. This type of dolphin is usually accessed by a catwalk, and provided with a bollard or capstan. For example, a mooring dolphin can be used to tie up the bow or stern line of a ship at a more favorable angle. If water is shallow close to the shore, it may be more economical to locate a wharf offshore in deeper waters.ĭolphins, which are small independent platforms or groups of piles, can be used on their own or with a pier or wharf for specialized purposes. Where water depth is adequate close to the shore, it is generally more cost-efficient to build a wharf rather than a pier. Adequate turning space should be provided so that a ship can be turned before it is docked, and moored with a heading that will allow it to quickly depart as necessary. If there are severe meteorological and hydrological conditions, a single mooring point may be utilized for oil storage terminals, which will allow moored tankers to swing freely. Otherwise, the berth should be oriented parallel to the direction of the more severe conditions. If this is not possible, contractors should examine the possibility of orienting the facility so that winds or currents will hold ships off of the pier or wharf. Initially, piers and wharves should be oriented so that moored ships are facing the direction of prevailing winds and currents. Ships can be berthed on both sides of these types of wharves. It is then connected to the shore at one or more points by pile-supported trestles. If water depths are insufficient to accommodate deep draft ships close to shore, a wharf - consisting of a platform on piles - is located offshore in deeper water. With wharves, ships can only be moored on the outer face. Marginal wharves are connected to the shore along their full length, with a retaining structure used to contain upland fill placed behind it. In contrast, a wharf is a structure that is oriented roughly parallel to the shore. A slip is the space between two parallel piers or a pier and a wharf. It can be used on one or both sides, depending on site conditions or the needs of the facility. Piers project from the shore into the water, and may or may not be oriented at a perpendicular angle. Factors such as the ease of entering and leaving berths, required quayage, harbor line restrictions, foundation conditions, and isolation requirements all play a role in determining where to locate piers and wharves - and the facilities that support them. When planning facilities for piers and wharves, consideration must be given to how these structures are aligned and located within a harbor. ![]() By carefully designing these facilities with all of these factors in mind, contractors can ensure the full success of a project. Some of the factors to consider in the planning stages include location, clearances, operations, landslide approaches, and structural types. When constructing piers and wharves, the surroundings that support those structures must be taken into account. Photo credit: Power Engineering Construction Co.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |