Palmer Station Antarctica Pier Replacement—Logistics and Design for Remote Construction

Palmer Station is a United States (US) research station in Antarctica. It was originally constructed in 1968 and operated by the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) of the National Science Foundation. With no air strip, all supply and personnel transfer operations are by vessel during the summer months. This project consists of replacing the aged cellular cofferdam bulkhead pier with a new steel pile founded concrete pier. Designed and fabricated in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, components took over six months to be prepared and two months to be transported nearly 8,700 nautical mi (14,000 km) to the project site. Modular prefabricated components designed to minimize complex onsite construction include precast, prestressed, and post-tensioned concrete pile caps and deck panels supported by drilled and rock socketed galvanized steel pipe piles. This paper outlines the unique design features and significant logistical planning and collaboration undertaken between the owner, owner’s representative, design team, and contractor.