Apron Wharf Structure for Fairview Container Terminal

This paper describes the design and construction of wharf modifications at the existing Fairview Terminal in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, to provide a berth capable of accommodating 12,500 TEU container vessels with drafts up to 15 m. A piled apron structure was designed in front of the existing concrete gravity caisson wharf. This structure shifted the berth face offshore to deeper water and minimized the amount of dredging required and also the potential for undermining the caissons. The berth fender system was developed to minimize risk of impact for both vessel hull to structure and vessel hull to container crane. The response of the soil-caisson-apron structure under seismic load conditions led to challenging design details to accommodate the expected displacements and meet stringent performance criteria.