Khalifa Port: A multidisciplinary approach for the beneficial use of dredged materials with high fines content
Type:
Presented during:
CEDA Dredging Days 2012 - Virtue, Venture and Vision in the Coastal Zone
Authors:
Bolatti Guzzo L, Hooiveld BJ and Castleton W - Royal Boskalis Westminster, the Netherlands; Bangash A - Abu Dhabi Ports Company / Bechtel, United Arab Emirates
Abstract: The dredging and reclamation works for the Khalifa Port project were challenged by the geological conditions in combination with strict environmental requirements and technical specifications. Due to natural subsoil conditions the dredged material contained a fines content of approximately 30%, while the reclamation material specifications allowed for a significantly lower maximum fines percentage of 10% as well as strict requirements on accumulated fines layers. The nearby presence of environmental receptors led to very tight environmental requirements and maximum allowable turbidity levels.
These challenges were successfully managed by developing a multidisciplinary approach, in which design, engineering, operations and quality control aspects were closely integrated. The particular characteristics of the fill material were addressed by the development of a site specific interpretation for cone penetration testing. The fast settling behaviour of the fines was turned to the advantage of the project by allowing controlled guidance of the fines, with the assistance of water injection techniques, into deeper areas for ease of removal. Engineering and operational controls were integrated and combined into a sophisticated quality control procedure, which allowed for a continuous monitoring of the advancing reclamation front. The development of fast processing and distribution procedures for all monitoring results to quickly confirm the acceptability of the reclamation and to immediately identify possible non-conformities was a key success factor.
Keywords: reclamation, fines, real time monitoring, quality control, design philosophy