Evaluation of the Corpus Christi Seawall

The Corpus Christi tidewater flood protection system (system) was constructed during the years 1939 to 1942. A study has been performed to assess the ability of the 3/(1/2) mile system to provide continued hurricane and tidewater flood protection for the City. The system is composed of a pile-supported concrete seawall, concrete and steel sheet pile bulkhead walls, ship docks, and an earthen levee with timber stoplog closure structures. The study implemented a comprehensive testing program including ground penetrating radar and infrared hermography; exploratory excavations; in-situ dynamic pile testing; concrete emolition, compressive strength and petrographic/chloride testing; half-cell corrosion analyses; and underwater inspections. The results of the esting, combined with wave force calculations and structural analyses, were used to determine deficiencies in the seawall and develop restoration and structural enhancing methods of repair.