Specialist perspectives on the ground decisions that matter in this sector.
9 insights
Port and marine design depends on more than an offshore wave height. Metocean conditions, water levels, wave transformation, currents, sediment transport and shoreline response must be interpreted together. This article explains how numerical hydrodynamic and coastal models support better decisions for ports, terminals, dredging, coastal protection and marine infrastructure.
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Increasing berth depth for larger vessels can fundamentally change the behaviour of an existing quay. Lowering the seabed may reduce passive resistance, increase exposed wall height and alter structural demand, while the new design vessel may simultaneously increase propeller- and thruster-induced scour. Berth deepening should therefore be assessed as an integrated geotechnical, structural and hydraulic problem.
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Ports can use fundamentally different quay and berth systems—from blockwork gravity walls and caissons to sheet piles, combi-walls, diaphragm walls, relieving platforms and open piled berths. This practical guide compares the main systems, where each fits best, and the ground, dredging, deformation, loading, seismic, constructability and whole-life factors that should drive selection.
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Marine terminal piles must do more than carry axial load. A practical geotechnical framework for assessing lateral response, scour, dredging, downdrag, pile-group interaction, cyclic loading, seismic deformation and construction effects.
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What really controls the performance of quay walls and marine structures? A practical geotechnical framework for understanding dredging, surcharge, water levels, soil–structure interaction, anchors, scour, seismic effects and construction-stage risk.
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Soil–structure interaction matters when foundation movement changes structural demand, structural stiffness changes ground response, or imposed ground deformation controls performance. This article explains when simplified springs are enough—and when more advanced coupling is justified.
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A practical geotechnical framework for verifying unexpected ground conditions, assessing consequence and uncertainty, and choosing a proportionate construction-stage response.
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A risk-based framework for deciding when independent geotechnical peer review adds value, what it should examine, and how to structure review around consequence, uncertainty and complexity.
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A decision-focused guide to when advanced numerical modelling adds value in geotechnical engineering, including staged construction, soil–structure interaction, seismic response and deformation.
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