Development of a rapid pile splicer for the navy modular elevated causeway system

摘要

This paper presents results of the technological development of a rapid, automated pile splicer to be used in support of the Navy Modular Elevated Causeway System (ELCAS(M)). The ELCAS(M) is deployed to transfer equipment and supplies from shipsmoored offshore to any unimproved beach staging area.Rapid erection of the ELCAS(M) is essential in delivering the emergent vital logistics supplies to the Marine fighting units ashore during an amphibious operation.The results of ELCAS(M) exercises indicated that the system installation did not meet the mission time requirement. Several technological deficiencies may have contributed to the mission delays.The innovative automated pile splicing technology can reduce splicing time from the current 3 to 4 hours to less than 40 minutes per splice. This time savings represents a significant improvement since the splicing process is on the critical path of theELCAS(M) installation.