Barranquilla, Colombia

SPRB Wharf Structural Capacity Study

Scope/Solutions

Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Barranquilla (SPRB) wanted to better understand the condition of their 1 km marginal wharf and retained SGH to evaluate the structural and geotechnical stability of the wharf during operations.

SGH reviewed historical drawings and inspection reports to identify the structural framing for each of the seven wharf segments. Each segment was constructed at a different time with a different configuration, but generally consists of a concrete deck supported on prestressed concrete piles with a concrete sheetpile bulkhead on the water side. Highlights of our assessment include:

  • Collaborating with SPRB to determine current loading operations, including berthing and mooring of design vessels and barges
  • Recommending nondestructive testing to define geometry of wharf elements
  • Developing three-dimensional models of the structures, including the seven marginal wharf segments and the sheetpile bulkhead modeled as shell elements to properly account for soil pressure on the pile-supported decks
  • Performing finite element analysis of the structures along with berthing and mooring analyses
  • Estimating the capacity of the existing piles
  • Preparing a list of demand-to-capacity ratios for all structural components in each wharf segment and defining areas that might require restrictions
  • Providing recommendations to SPRB to help them plan their operations as well as future maintenance and upgrades

Project Summary

Solutions
Repair & Rehabilitation
Services
Structures
Markets
Infrastructure & Transportation
Client(s)
Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Barranquilla
Specialized Capabilities
Marine & Civil Works

Key team members

Carlos Ospina
Carlos Ospina
Principal
Alfredo Rivera
Alfredo Rivera
Senior Consulting Engineer