2019 Australasian Coasts & Port – Construction and Design support for a Double Coffer Dam Seawall

S. Pirrello

1 Senior Design Engineer – Technical Lead at J Steel Engineering / GIKEN, Sydney, Australia; spirrello@jsteel.com.au (now deepfoundationsolutions@gmail.com)

 Abstract

Singapore’s ongoing economic growth demands more land for infrastructure development. This can be achieved by redeveloping existing inland sites or alternatively by reclaiming land. Reclamation was used for the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) which was designed to run parallel to the existing berth an old Marina Wharf. The completed project included construction of service roads, residential towers and the redesign of public spaces.

 GIKEN Seisakusho Asia (GIKEN) was engaged by Hock Lian Seng Infrastructure Ltd on behalf the Singaporean Land Transport Authority after a successful tender process. The project brief for the Marina Wharf Contract 481 required the proposed marine construction methodology to minimise waterway encroachment as vessel traffic had to be maintained throughout the construction works. 

 The design carried out by Hock Lian Seng Infrastructure Ltd proposed a double cofferdam seawall consisted of 1170 1.2m diameter steel piles (P-P interlock), 19mm thick terminating in hard clay at depths of 28m to 44m. The GIKEN construction technology proved to be a successful option with the works completed in 11 months meeting the strict schedule, noise and vibration restrictions.

 This paper will discuss the construction challenges overcome including design details for water tightness and complex ground conditions. A detailed description of GIKEN latest Gyro press piling technology and how it can install piles into hard rock within tight boundary conditions and minimised temporary works will also be discussed.

 Keywords: GIKEN installation, Noise and Vibration, Water tightness, Geotechnical and Structural Design