SEISMIC REPAIR OF DRY DICLES
Bremerton, Washington.
Merit Award
Sent by: Kiewit-Alberici SIOP MACC AJV
OWNER: Naval Installations Engineering Command
LEADING DESIGN COMPANY: Kiewit Engineering Group Inc.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Kiewit-Alberici SIOP MACC AJV
JV SPONSOR: Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.
JV PARTNER: Auburn Builders Inc.
OWNER’S ADVISOR: WSP
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING: Shannon and Wilson
STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT: COWI
GEOTECHNICAL AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF FINITE ELEMENTS: SGH
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING: Geotechnical Atlas
SUBCONTRACTORS: Condon-Johnson & Associates; Malcolm Drilling; perennial concrete cutting; Bluegrass Corp.
In January 2023, the Navy faced a critical situation when four of the seven dry docks in the Puget Sound region were found to be at risk of collapse from a Level 2 seismic event. These dry docks were they quickly shut down and more than 100 experts were mobilized to assess the situation.
The project team immediately went to work, releasing preliminary design materials within 48 hours and completing the conceptual design in three days. During design, the team came up with innovative methods such as circumventing the need for large scaffolding by using changes in water levels, which became crucial to meeting the compressed schedule.
After 12 days, the team had loaded and mobilized five barges, including two tower barges, with materials and equipment and was ready to start drilling with 10 rigs. Field operations began five days after the Navy’s initial call.
Simultaneously, the team secured a progressive design and construction contract to retrofit the other three existing dry docks. Two were located at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the third at the Bangor Trident base.
Team members learned on the fly, adapting as the project progressed. Components were designed, supplies were ordered, and structures were erected, all with an unwavering attention to quality and safety. Midnight calls became routine as installation methods changed and on-site fabrication replaced conventional practices. The project was delivered on time and on budget in June 2023.
