Deepening of Berths 214-216 Container Wharf at the Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles (POLA) is upgrading berths 214-220 container wharves, which includes deepening of berths 214-216 to accommodate larger ship sizes up to 13,000 TEUs. The existing wharf was designed for a mudline elevation near the US Pierhead (USPH) line of approximately -45 ft. (-13.7 m) mean lower low water (MLLW). For the wharf upgrade, the mudline elevation is being deepened to -53 ft. (-16.2 m) MLLW near the USPH line. An underwater bulkhead system, approximately 1,500 linear ft. (457 linear m), will be used to support the deepening of mudline elevation. Among various underwater bulkhead systems considered for the wharf deepening, a continuous sheet pile underwater bulkhead was found to be the most cost-effective solution and was used in final design. This paper discusses the geotechnical investigation, site characterization, ground motion, liquefaction, lateral earth pressures, underwater bulkhead design, and construction considerations.