Handbook of quay walls

The art of designing quay walls is in the representation of the interaction of various parts of the structure and the underlying geological formation. This book serves as a supportive source of information in this respect and provides an extended overview of the knowledge and experience in the area of the design, construction and management of quay walls. The introductory chapters of this work are devoted to the historical functions of quay walls. A summary of the main types of walls is provided and, illustrated by practical examples from The Netherlands and abroad, various construction methods are explained. Subsequently, all stages of the design process are explained, in which the clear relation between the design, recent geotechnical research results and Eurocode 7 norms and developments is underlined. As reliable data are of vital importance, thorough consideration is given to data collection and processing and to the formulation of a list of design requirements. The design philosophy is focused on anchored embedded walls with concrete superstructures, both with and without relieving platforms. Attention is paid te the principles and requirements for safety, strength, stability and serviceability are treated, whereas explanations and guidelines for the implementation of the requirements are also included. As the elements that form the structure of the quay wall determine the functionality of the quay, their characteristics are thoroughly considered and many examples, details and practical advices are provided. The characteristics of various construction materials are discussed and measures to prevent corrosion or damage are described. In addition to the extensive focus on design, aspects of costs and execution are discussed in relation to the challenge of optimization and practical applicability. Concerning the management and maintenance of quay walls, a strong argument is made for a proactive management policy in which a number of quality standards are formulated in advance. With such an approach, modeling and analysis of quay walls may unveil possible threats to the preset standards, like ageing and overloading. The experience that was gained from extending the borders of design and from construction of structures based on new concepts is described in this work both to avoid future errors and to stimulate the search for creative solutions to problems arising in new situations. In the final chapter, new developments that may influence the design, construction and management of quay walls are discussed to introduce future topics in this subject area. To illustrate the theory contained, a detailed calculation of a quay wall is presented after the technical chapters. In the back of this work, a glossary is included to introduce the reader quickly to terms specific for this subject area. The Handbook Quoy Walls is intended for anyone involved in the design, construction and use of quay walls, like designers, contractors, engineers, operators and managers. It forms a wealthy source of basic information for researchers attempting to broaden the quay wall horizon and may serve as a textbook for university and professional course students.