Client: Sydney Ferries
Lead Consultant and Engineer: MEC
Contractor: Waterway Constructions
Sydney Ferries identified the need for improved working space and repairs to the existing timber jetties at their shipyard in Balmain. There were three main components to the project, the first being repairs to two timber jetties for which the piles were in generally poor condition and the deck in need of spot repairs. The second was the extension of the existing concrete hardstand to replace sections of the timber jetty adjacent to the shore. The third was the replacement and upgrade of the services in the area of the works.
MEC were selected in June 2009 as the engineers for the new concrete hardstands and as lead consultant coordinating the engineers for the existing timber jetty upgrade and services upgrade. The new concrete hardstands are fully suspended over water and were designed for berthing forces from the ferry vessels and heavy traffic loads. The new structure is supported on tubular steel piles driven and socketed into rock. The piles are protected from corrosion by high density polyethylene tubular sleeves socketed into the seabed. The piles support heavy precast concrete headstock beams, with an in-situ concrete moment connection to the piles, and the deck was constructed using “Transfloor” panels as permanent formwork. The system worked well as a whole and installation went smoothly.