Marine Construction

Barges Cranes Dredging Structural Technology
Wire ropes used in over-water crane operations experience accelerated corrosion due to constant moisture and salt exposure. Internal corrosion can reduce rope strength long before visible damage appears. Photo Credit: Bilco Wire Rope & Supply Co
Essential Maintenance Practices for Wire Ropes in Over-Water Crane Operations

Operating cranes over water places exceptional demands on wire ropes. Constant exposure to moisture, salt…

Load rotation often occurs when the center of gravity does not align with the lifting connection, causing torsional forces to develop once the load is airborne. These forces are amplified in marine environments due to wind, vessel movement, and limited tag line control. Photo Credit: Bishop Lifting
The Role of Rigging Hardware in Preventing Load Rotation and Twist

Load rotation and uncontrolled twist are common challenges in marine and heavy civil lifting operations.…

Marine geotechnical conditions can change significantly over short distances due to sediment movement, historical dredging, and tidal action. These variations often lead to unpredictable pile driving resistance and require adaptive installation strategies. Photo Credit: Kiewit Corporation
Managing Pile Driving in Challenging Marine Geotechnical Conditions

Marine construction projects depend on deep foundations that must perform reliably in some of the…

High wind speeds significantly increase mooring line loads because wind pressure on a vessel rises with the square of wind velocity. Even moderate increases in sustained wind can push mooring forces beyond the capacity of older dock hardware. Photo Credit: Marine Structures
Mooring System Design for High-Wind and High-Current Environments

Ports and waterfront structures located in exposed coastal settings face a unique set of challenges…

Shallow draft workboats are specifically engineered to operate in limited water depths where conventional vessels cannot navigate. This makes them essential for piling projects in remote rivers and shallow inland lakes. Photo Credit: Drop Marine
Shallow Draft Workboats For River And Lake Piling Projects

When construction crews face river and lake piling projects in remote areas traditional vessels with…

Hydraulic dredging systems transport sediment through pipelines extending thousands of feet from the dredge location without requiring hopper barges. These portable systems excel in confined spaces like inland waterways and industrial basins where traditional large-scale equipment cannot access. Photo Credit: Dredge America, Inc.
Tips for Hiring a Dredging Contractor

Dredging projects carry enough risk without adding contractor headaches to the mix. Between permit delays,…

Exposed pile tops are highly vulnerable to moisture intrusion, which accelerates internal decay in timber piles and corrosion in steel or reinforced concrete piles. Pile caps act as a physical barrier that limits direct water entry at the most vulnerable point of the pile. Photo Credit: BARR Plastics
Top 5 Mistakes Contractors Make When Protecting Exposed Pile Tops

Exposed pile tops are one of the most overlooked elements in marine and waterfront construction,…

Modern timber marina systems are modular, allowing easy expansion and targeted repairs. This flexibility helps reduce long-term maintenance and replacement costs. Photo Credit: Meeco Sullivan
Environmental Perception vs Engineering Reality: Timber Use in Modern Marina Design

In marina design material choice shapes not only performance and longevity but also how people…

Marine fenders are designed to absorb berthing energy and reduce reaction forces transferred into piles, pile caps, and deck structures. Proper fender selection helps prevent long-term structural damage caused by repeated vessel impacts.
Selecting Marine Fenders for Wharf and Dock Protection in Coastal Piling Projects

Marine fender systems play a critical role in protecting wharves, docks, and pile-supported waterfront structures…

Floating docks rely on piles or anchors primarily for lateral stability rather than vertical load support. This allows the dock system to rise and fall with changing water levels without overstressing the foundation. Photo Credit: Pier Genius
Floating Docks vs. Fixed Piers: Foundation Considerations in Marina Design

Marina designers face a fundamental choice when planning waterfront access infrastructure: floating docks or fixed…

Mechanical and hydraulic dredging can increase turbidity by resuspending fine sediments into the water column. Proper monitoring and containment measures significantly reduce how far these suspended particles travel. Photo Credit: Ryba Marine Construction Co.
Strategies for Minimizing Environmental Impact in Mechanical and Hydraulic Dredging

Dredging plays a vital role in maintaining waterways, improving navigation, supporting infrastructure development and enabling…

Poor groundwater control behind waterfront structures increases hydrostatic pressure, which adds lateral loads to piles and retaining systems. Over time, this can lead to excessive deflection, connection fatigue, and premature structural deterioration. Photo Credit: Scituate Concrete Products
How Stormwater and Groundwater Control Influence the Longevity of Pile-Supported Waterfront Structures

Pile-supported waterfront structures are exposed to some of the most demanding environmental conditions in civil…