If dock owners want to take advantage of the expanded channel and service larger, more efficient ships, they need to determine the serviceability of their facilities. As the original built environment changes, owners of these structures must reassess their structural and geotechnical integrity. When channels are expanded, each of these structures is influenced by the ripple of more water in a deeper and wider channel. Many structures are situated on or around shipping channels such as dock facilities (including wharf and jetty platforms, mooring and breasting structures, approachways and catwalks) bridges, navigation towers, coastal floodwalls, piers and bulkheads. Ripples Affecting Docks, Bridges and Bulkhead Structures Many disciplines of expertise are required to make these channel deepening projects happen - from engineers (coastal, geotechnical, structural, electrical, civil and more) to environmental scientists and permitting specialists who help comply with the federal, state and local regulatory laws to protect the environment. Streamlining the process to account for these changes takes a considerable amount of early coordination and collaboration amongst stakeholders. With more water to impact them, structures around an expanded channel may need improvements, and pipelines under the channel may need relocation to make way for dredging. Managing the Impact of Channel Improvement Projects on Structures and Pipelines But what are the impacts around a channel after it’s widened? The ripple effects may go further than you think. The equation is generally: bigger ships = more throughput = increased profitability. ports have worked toward increasing the depth and width of their channels to allow for larger ships with greater capacities.
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