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ENGINEERING TRIPOS PART IIA - 2012/2013

Project GD4 - Civil Engineering Design Project - Quay Wall

Leaders: Prof M Bolton email: mdb and Dr D Liang email: dl359

Project Type: Group
Project Category: Design
Prerequisites: 3D1 essential, 3D5 NOT required
Timing: Fridays 11-1pm, and Tuesdays 9-11am plus afternoons

SUMMARY

The project involves the design of an anchored sheet pile wall on one side of an estuary to create berthing for ships and retain a section of river bank for storage and traffic. It aims to show how structural, geotechnical and hydraulic concepts can be applied in the design of facilities.

AIMS

To understand the major components and working principles of a quay;
To understand astronomical tides and storm surges;
To deduce strength parameters of soils from test data;
To design retaining walls in complex situations;
To specify a capping beam, fenders and bollards;
To decide the construction procedure and calculate the project cost;
To appreciate the environmental impact of an engineering project.

FORMAT

Students normally work in groups of four, but write individual reports. Groups can capitalise on a broader range of ideas for the overall conceptual designs, and can deal more comprehensively with the detailed design of structures and facilities.

ACTIVITIES

Week 1: Site characterisation – tide and storm surge, ships, quay dimensions, soil properties. (Students should be prepared to attend a field trip for the whole day on Friday.)

Week 2: Conceptual design – selection of the quay location, possible structural forms of the quay wall and ancillary components, construction procedures, other things that need to be considered. (Interim report is due.)

Week 3: Design a sheet pile wall remaining in equilibrium under earth pressure, water pressure and surcharge exerted by cargo, vehicles and cranes.

Week 4: Complete the detailed design of the quay wall, and decide an overall configuration of the quay together with scour prevention measures and berthing and fendering facilities. (Final report is due.)

ASSESSMENT

Format: Submission Date - Marks

Interim report: 4pm Tuesday 21 May 2013 – 30 marks (15 Marks for individual work and 15 Marks for group work)
Final report: 4pm Friday 7 June 2013 – 50 marks (35 Marks for individual work and 15 Marks for group work)

Last updated: November 2012

teaching-office@eng.cam.ac.uk