Motiva South Dock Dolphins

Project Details:

Project Owner:  Motiva Enterprises
Project Client: Motiva Enterprises
Project Cost: $1 million – $5 million
Project Duration: 4 months

Project Challenges:
  • Challenging drilling due to difficult subsurface profiles
  • Large volume underwater concrete placement
  • 12-sided formwork at 34 ft diameter x 15 ft thick
Work Performed:

SC-2 Dolphin had 12 plumb piles and 12 batter piles (each were 20” x 0.625” wall). Each of the plumb piles had a rock socket consisting of a wire rope strand assembly that is grouted into the drilled hole. SC-2 was a 34 ft diameter x 15 ft thick 12-sided cast-in-place concrete structure. This is approximately 500 cubic yards of concrete, placed in 2 separate lifts, with the first one being below mean-low-water. This required the use of a large structural steel falsework frame that had to be positioned and supported underwater to allow a pile driving frame as well as act as a bottom form for the concrete placement.

MD-3 foundation had 12 pipe piles and was an above water cast-in-place concrete dolphin. Fabricated structural walkways, rub rails, quick release hooks, and handrail were installed as well.

Project Photo Gallery: