Abstract:
Geotechnical and structural engineering play critical roles in the design, evaluation, and replacement of existing bulkheads, particularly those exposed to challenging environments in coastal and urban waterways. This case study focuses on the evaluation of an existing corroded cantilevered bulkhead along Lake Michigan and the replacement of an existing corroded tied-back bulkhead along the Chelsea Creek in Massachusetts. Both bulkheads exhibited significant corrosion, potentially compromising structural integrity and service life. A comprehensive geotechnical and structural assessment was conducted to evaluate the bulkheads. This included evaluating the extent of corrosion, structural strength of the wall, and geotechnical stability. The evaluations considered factors such as hydrostatic pressures and environmental loading, loss of steel, scour, and the global stability of the bulkhead in its existing condition. The evaluation informed the potential remaining service life of the structures as well as the development of rehabilitation and/or replacement strategies.
These case studies underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to evaluating existing bulkhead structures, incorporating both geotechnical and structural engineering. The findings highlight the need for routine inspection, proactive maintenance, and engineering solutions to maintain, and potentially extend, the service life of bulkheads in demanding environments. Additionally, the case studies will illustrate the challenges associated with the design and construction of replacement bulkheads. Future work should focus on long-term monitoring of rehabilitated and replaced bulkheads to validate design assumptions and refine best practices for waterfront infrastructure resilience.