South Terminal Renovations
Location
Norfolk International Terminal
Client
Virginia Port Authority
Services Provided
Site Stabilization
Wharf Foundations
Pile Driving Analyzer Testing
Project Overview
Located on the east bank of the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia, the Norfolk International Terminal handles strictly container cargo. The two loading and unloading facilities (North and South Terminals) can handle up to eight vessels at a time. The North Terminal has Suez Class container cranes. Renovations to the South Terminal were needed to improve pavements and surface drainage and to increase dredge depth to 60 feet so as to accommodate Suez Class vessels.
Schnabel provided geotechnical engineering service for the improvements using land and water borings, cone penetrometer testing, and dilatometer testing. Because the project was fast track, a surcharge with wick drains was installed to accelerate settlement and reduce construction time. Approximately 2,300 piles were needed for new wharf support. Schnabel also monitored pile load tests and provided Pile Driving Analyzer tests on selected piles.