In response to a corrosion-related collapse of a reinforced concrete panel in the Marina del Rey Seawall, an extensive multi-faceted evaluation project was launched to determine the condition of the 7.5 miles of remaining seawall defining the harbor and to develop a repair design. The $25 million project represented one of the first large-scale applications of impact-echo technology in a structural rehabilitation project.
Nondestructive testing began in February 1996, followed by two phases of repair construction, beginning in January 1997 and January 1999, respectively. Construction was completed by July 2000.
The entire length of the seawall was evaluated to determine corrosion-related strength loss. The sire-specific data were then applied to the repair concept of installing caissons to support the seawall panels via connecting tie-back rods. The in-depth structural detail discerned from the impact-echo testing results allowed a high level of refinement in the design.
The repair design was based on results from fieldwork as well as other nonlinear structural analysis and finite element modeling. Additional considerations factored into the design, beyond compensating for deteriorated reinforcement; current earthquake design loads had to be incorporated. Ultimately, by applying the data from the nondestructive testing to the results from the structural analysis, the number of required caissons was reduced from 3971 to 2473.
The success of the project is the result of many aspects of the work including incorporation of innovative evaluation techniques, use of advanced structural analysis, communication among the involved public and private agencies, and attentive project management. These elements not only fulfilled the project goals, but also extended the benefit of the work to the greater Marina del Rey community via the budgetary surplus funds of $500,000, subsequently applied to street repairs. Finally, though, the success of the project is measured by the continued integrity of the seawall.
Award of Excellence
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Wilson Hall Structural Modifications
High-Rise — Sika Corporation
Award of Excellence
Unity Temple Restoration
Historic — Construction Technology Laboratories, Inc.
Award of Excellence
Pinnacle Port Restoration
Longevity — Building Technology Consultants, Inc.
Award of Excellence
Repair and Strengthening of Assumption Convent Lamnarai
Low-Rise — Nontri Co., Ltd.
Award of Excellence
Repair and Strengthening of White Flint Parking Structure
Parking Structures — Structural Preservation Systems, Inc.
Award of Excellence
Fallingwater Renovation Project
Residential — VSL (VStructural LLC)
Award of Excellence
University Hall Tension Ring Repair
Strengthening — Structural Preservation Systems, Inc.
Award of Excellence
Interstate 80 Seismic Upgrade
Transportation — Sika Corporation
Award of Excellence
R. H. Saunders Generating Station Structural Rehabilitation
Water Structures — Kinectrics, Inc.
Honorable Mention
Repair and Rehabilitation of Shipping House
High-Rise — Painterior (India)
Honorable Mention
Crown Center Parking Structure Cathodic Protection
Longevity — Structural Engineering Associates
Honorable Mention
Repair and Restoration of Forbes Building
Low-Rise — Painterior (India)
Honorable Mention
151 West Ohio Street Parking Structure Restoration and Renovation
Parking Structures — Carl Walker, Inc.
Honorable Mention
New York State Thruway Authority Tappen Zee Bridge Improvement Project
Transportation — Polymer Technology
Honorable Mention
Repair of Wisla-Czarne Dam Concrete Structures
Water Structures — Osrodek Techniki i Kooperacji OTiK Sp. z o.o
