Lyttelton Port of Christchurch Reconstruction of CQ2 Wharf Following the 2010/2011 Earthquakes

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) suffered four major earthquakes between September 2010 and December 2011 which severely damaged the port’s wharf structures. Following these events, an assessment was completed into the performance requirements required for the replacement structures to maintain operational continuity throughout multiple seismic events. This paper discusses the assessment, analysis, design and performance characteristics of two designs that utilise tie rods and anchor piles to provide a greater level of seismic resilience. One design is a hybrid design where the tie rods from a 23 m wide wharf are linked to cement deep soil mixed (CDSM) columns. The second design comprises a typical 34 m wide marginal wharf cross section, with tie rods linked to tubular steel anchor piles 30 m behind the wharf. The authors wish to acknowledge the contribution of the late Emeritus Professor Nigel Priestley, who provided invaluable advice as peer reviewer from concept through to detailed design.