Guidelines of Replacing Concrete Fender Piling

Problem: Fender piles and/or panels are seriously damaged or missing.

Description of Repair: Remove damaged piles, wales, chocks, and hardware. Drive new prestressed concrete piles aligning the elevation of the tops to match the existing system. Install new wales, chocks, rubbing strips, and/or rubber fenders to match existing. Install galvanized bolts and other support hardware.

Fabrication of all prestressed concrete piles should conform to the guidelines. Repairs to the pier structure and nonprestressed concrete members should conform to the guidelines outlined.

Special care should be exercised in the handling of all concrete piling in order to prevent damage to the members. Take care to avoid damage to the piles during bandling, placing the pile in the leads, and during the pile driving operation. Laterally support piles during driving, but do not unduly restrain from rotation in the leads. Where pile or reinforcement orientation is essential, take special care to maintain the orientation during driving. (take special care in supporting battered piles to prevent excessive bending stresses in the pile). Square the top of the pile to the longitudinal axis of the pile. Use a steel driving helmet or cap including a pile cushion between the top of the pile and the driving helmet or cap to prevent impact damage to the pile.

Application: replacement of concrete fender piles should normally be pursued in lieu of major repairs to existing members. Careful attention should be given to the history of damage to the area in question, before repairs are made. If the frequency of damage is high, an alternate fendering system should be considered.

Future Inspection Requirements: Close monitoring of fender performance will be required to document the rate and frequency of damage. Level I inspections every 3 months may be required if accelerated wear or damage is noted. Good documentation of maintenance/repair history is essential.