Evaluating Corroded Bulkheads and Planning for Replacement-PPT Presentation

PPT Presentation

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The presentation examines how to evaluate deteriorating bulkheads and decide whether to repair, monitor, or replace them, emphasizing the need for both structural and geotechnical assessments.<br /><br />At Lake Michigan, engineers evaluated a 1,350-foot cantilevered steel sheet-pile bulkhead. Inspections found one segment in poor condition, with corrosion reducing estimated moment capacity by an average of about 20%. Structural analyses showed that demand exceeded average corroded capacity under seismic and high-water conditions, while global stability and toe-embedment safety factors remained adequate. The principal concern was therefore structural failure, potentially resulting in soil loss. The bulkhead was considered metastable, and further corrosion or an extreme event could trigger localized failure.<br /><br />At Chelsea Creek, a severely deteriorated, tied-back bulkhead up to 50 feet high required full replacement. Design options accounted for weak organic soils, scour, existing structures, restricted space, and construction feasibility. The selected solution was a tied-back combi-wall with a rip-rap toe, preserving usable land while addressing the large retained height, weak soils, and future corrosion and scour.<br /><br />The cases demonstrate that bulkhead decisions depend on site-specific conditions and performance demands. Regular maintenance and early detection can extend service life and reduce costs, but replacement may be necessary when deterioration threatens structural performance. Successful outcomes require coordination among owners, geotechnical and structural engineers, construction teams, and regulators.

Keywords

bulkhead assessment

structural analysis

geotechnical evaluation

corrosion

sheet-pile bulkhead

metastable

repair or replacement

global stability

tied-back combi-wall

scour protection