A Case Study and Recommendation for Large-Diameter FRP Monopile Dolphin Systems

A large portion of the United States ferry system relies on timber pile dolphins for berthing operations. As ferry boats have increased in size and environmental regulations have tightened, the use of timber pile dolphins has become far less cost effective. As a result, ferry owners are seeking alternatives for dolphins and fenders. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has developed a dolphin replacement program for the Jamestown-Scotland ferry that utilizes composite materials to maximize lifecycle cost effectiveness and minimize service disruptions while maintaining the safe operation of the ferry system. The program uses the latest fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) pile technologies, materials, and production capabilities. As a result, over 1850 fracture-prone timber piles will be replaced with 35 large-diameter FRP monopile dolphins, with an expected lifecycle cost equal to one-third of the cost of the current system. Each new FRP monopile dolphin provides over 10 times the energy absorbing capacity of the existing 37 timber pile cluster and is more environmentally inert.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784479919.001
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780784479919
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • McCarty, M A
  • O'Brien, P S
  • Ripley, T D
  • Troxel, C F
• Conference:
  • 14th Triennial International Conference
  • Location: New Orleans Louisiana, United States
  • Date: 2016-6-12 to 2016-6-15
• Publication Date: 2016

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Pagination: pp 1-11
• Monograph Title: Ports 2016: Port Planning and Development

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Composite materials; Cost effectiveness; Dolphins; Ferries; Fiber reinforced polymers; Life cycle analysis; Recommendations; Timber
• Geographic Terms: Virginia
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Marine Transportation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01604083
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780784479919
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Jul 1 2016 9:15AM