Stability of an undermined quay wall in Port Elizabeth

摘要

This paper presents detailed analyses undertaken to investigate the stability of existing quay wall structures along two berths of the Charl Malan Quay, Port of Port Elizabeth. The quay wall was undermined by ship movement, the extent of which varied along the wall and ranged from 10% to 25% of base area. At first hand calculations were undertaken considering ultimate limit states. Plaxis 2D finite element analyses were undertaken to assess soil-structure interaction in more detail and investigate failure mechanisms that were not anticipated in the initial calculations. The value of a geotechnical investigation, in providing representative design parameters, is shown in the analyses as this was only conducted following an initial assessment for which representative parameters had to be assumed. The analyses provided a deeper understanding of the behaviour of the quay wall subjected to undermining and could be used to evaluate the risks associated with operation of the quay.