Port of Gulfport West Pier Wharf Upgrade

KPFF performed the civil and structural design for the upgrade of approximately 3,700 linear feet of existing wharf to accommodate new 100-foot gauge cranes capable of serving Post-Panamax vessels as part of the Port of Gulfport Restoration Plan following Hurricane Katrina. Crane Rail Upgrade: The existing wharf actually consisted of three separate wharf types at a bulk handling facility, which previously did not support gantry cranes. Two of the wharf types were traditional concrete aprons (cast-in-place decks on concrete piling), but the third was a tied-back, king-pile head wall outboard of an existing deteriorating cellular cofferdam. The upgrade included installation of a new waterside crane beam outboard of the existing wharf face and a new landside crane beam within the footprint of the existing aprons. Both crane beams were supported on 36-inch diameter hollow, pre-cast, post-tensioned, concrete piles. A planning-level geometric alternatives analysis was performed to investigate options for locating the waterside crane beam inshore or offshore of the existing face of wharf. A new electrical service for the cranes was also included. Berth Deepening Toe-wall: In order to accommodate future berth deepening to depth of 45-feet (limited by future anticipated dredging of the Port approach channel), approximately 950 linear feet of wharf required a 20-foot tall under-water sheet-pile toewall at the face of wharf. Design and construction sequencing were critical to the installation of the wall, which needed to be placed as far landward of the face of wharf as possible.Terminal Planning: KPFF also supported the local prime consultant with terminal planning analysis for their upland civil design for the 140-acre terminal redevelopment.