Vertical Harbour Quay Rehabilitation Using Ground Anchors

Abstract

Issues related to structure design are a danger to future user’s safety, as well as leading to higher economic costs, resulting in overruns of the initial budget. Sometimes, during works, unexpected situations could arise, requiring constant monitoring and verification. In recent years, ground anchors usage in soil and rock, has been increasing. It’s efficiency makes them widely applied. Regarding harbour constructions, the use of permanent ground anchors is restricted, due to constraints related to surroundings and corrosion, being usually reserved to special cases where other solutions are unavailable or inappropriate. This paper describes the problems derived from ground anchors rupture, used in a vertical quay wall, located in Pinhão (Portugal) fluvial harbour, and the necessary studies for a remedial project, including a new design for the ground anchors, performed as rehabilitation and strengthening of the quay structure. Finally, some comparisons and conclusions are made between the pre-design, which supported construction and lead to its collapse, and the results reached during rehabilitation process.