Transnet Group Capital appointed PRDW to undertake a FEL 3 design for the upgrade and repairs of breakwaters in the Port of Richards Bay.
Assessment of breakwater damage, risk analysis, repair options, model study, interpretation of results, and final repair designs. A crane study and breakwater cap modification was also required for the south breakwater.
A structured design process was followed to determine the most suitable repairs and upgrades to the north and south breakwaters. Initially a high-level screening options assessment identified several of the most suitable options for testing in the physical model. Once tested the physical model results were used as inputs to a Multi-criteria analysis for final selection of the preferred solution.
The south breakwater solution includes covering the damaged areas with a new underlayer of rock which is subsequently overlain with 65 t Antifer units. Toe dredging is included to ensure a stable toe. A huge concrete cap is required to ensure a stable base for the crane to handle a 69 t load with an 80 m reach.
The north breakwater solution includes overlaying the breakwater with 20 t dolos units.
Both breakwater designs were tested in a 3D physical model and found to be substantially more stable than the existing as-built designs.
It is estimated that construction will take approximately 1.6 years from mobilization and will consist of the following main repair items:
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