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INSTRUCTORS:
Theresa L. Richards, P.E.
Machel Morrison, Ph.D.
Raymond Qi, PE, TE
Khoa Pham
Jake Sydnor
Purpose and Background
These presentations were recorded at the ASCE Ports Conference 2025
Large-Scale Test Results and Evaluation of the In-ground Hinge Development of Steel Pipe Piles (20 minutes)
This presentation highlights the results of full-scale cyclic lateral load tests on large-diameter steel pipe piles to evaluate in-ground hinge performance under combined flexural, shear, and axial loads. The study investigated the influence of D/t ratios, axial load levels, and local buckling on moment-rotation behavior, using advanced instrumentation and strain measurements. Results challenge current code-based strain limits, suggesting that rotation may be a more reliable performance measure for design. Attendees will gain insight into pile ductility, buckling depth, and how blind predictions compared to actual test outcomes.
24,000 TEU-Ready Container Wharf Infrastructure Upgrades at Port of Oakland (15 minutes)
This session details a major upgrade to Wharf BRF 55–59 at the Port of Oakland to support 24,000 TEU ultra-large container vessels. The presentation covers the structural design of high-capacity bollards and fenders, reuse of existing anchor bolt patterns with changeover plates, and installation of reinforcing struts—all completed while maintaining ongoing terminal operations. Engineering and construction strategies were optimized to minimize downtime and maximize resilience. Attendees will learn how adaptive design and phased construction enabled efficient modernization of a legacy waterfront structure.
Pre-Drilling for Deep Foundations Estimating, Modeling and Obtaining Skin Friction for Tension Piles (20 minutes)
This presentation explores how pre-drilling techniques affect the axial capacity of concrete tension piles in marine environments, with case studies from port expansion projects in Jacksonville, Florida. Presenters compare field data and design strategies for pre-drilled holes with varying diameters, illustrating how drilling diameter, soil conditions, and limestone variability impact skin friction and pile tension performance. The session provides practical guidance on reduction factors, modeling approaches, and conservative design assumptions for achieving reliable uplift resistance. Attendees will benefit from insights on optimizing foundation design in challenging geotechnical settings.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the moment-rotation behavior and local buckling mechanisms observed in full-scale cyclic lateral load tests of large-diameter steel pipe piles.
- Explain the structural and operational challenges involved in upgrading legacy wharf systems to accommodate ultra-large container vessels.
- Analyze the impact of pre-drilled hole diameter and subsurface conditions on the skin friction and uplift resistance of tension piles.
- Explain how field-testing data can be used to refine reduction factors and modeling assumptions for pre-drilled pile design in coastal environments.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-test assessment (true-false, multiple choice, and/or fill in the blank questions).
Who Should Attend?
- Port engineers
- Port authority staff
- Project managers
- General contractors
- Early career professionals
How to Earn Your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 1 year of purchasing the course.
How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?
1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]