Innovative Wharf Details:Elastomeric Bearing Pile-Deck Connection and Finned Monopile

For moment frame wharf structures, the pile-to-deck connections are most susceptible to seismic damage. Even in minor earthquakes, spalling is expected at the landside piles. Recent research indicates that providing a fiber-reinforced elastomeric bearing pad at the pile-to-wharf interface will significantly improve seismic performance. The pad limits localized stresses, reduces damage in earthquakes, and increases connection flexibility, permitting greater lateral displacements without reduced connection strength. Monopile structures that cantilever from the ground develop large soil stresses near the ground surface when laterally loaded. Adding fins to the piles near the ground surface reduces the required pile diameter and length. This paper presents the following: Fiber-reinforced elastomeric bearing pile connection design - the design provides improved connection rotation, eliminates potential damage in an operating level earthquake, and includes a sealed connection for acceptable corrosion performance. The calculated performance is compared to a traditional pile connection. Finned monopile design - the design results in shorter, smaller diameter piles. The design will be compared with non-finned piles.