Leading with geotechnical services to help guide the expansion and development of the largest port in the South Island in New Zealand
The program involves the reclamation of approximately 34 hectares of new land and the construction of a new 700m long wharf to support the forecast growth in containerised cargo.
LCP Concept Design
In 2014 as part of the concept stage, our team of geotechnical specialists provided high level, feasibility optioneering advice for the land reclamation and wharves. We worked closely with LPC and specialist stakeholders to understand constructability, risk, cost, operational considerations and program for each option.
Given the complex local geology and seismicity, advanced numerical formulations were also undertaken, and industry experts were engaged at various stages through the project to provide technical challenge and review.
After a rigorous consultative process, we helped LPC arrive at their decision to adopt a traditional wharf option whilst implementing the dredge and replacement methodology for the reclamation.
LPC – Te Awaparahi Bay Investigation
In 2015, our team undertook the onshore and offshore geotechnical investigation to support the Concept Design. In consultation with our client a preferred scope was developed from the three different scopes our team initially presented to LCP that detailed different investigation densities and risk profiles.
LPC Te Bay Instrument Monitoring
Since 2016, and as part of the reclamation and wharf project, our geotechnical team has collected and interpreted instrument monitoring data. Given the complex local geology a combination of various surveying methods was used to develop an engineering understanding of the ground movement and settlement timeframes.
This ongoing instrument monitoring and analysis that continued through 2020 has allowed for the optimisation of current and future LPC reclamation projects, providing our client with clarity around timeframes and appropriate use of reclaimed land.
LCP – Stage 1 Reclamation
In 2017, our geotechnical team delivered the detailed design for the Stage 1 land reclamation and bund. Our work involved complex numerical analyses and soil-structure-interaction to assess the stability of the bund and dredge pocket. We delivered a surcharge design that achieved the settlement requirements of the bund and reclamation. Other services included preliminary analyses and time-history modelling for the proposed wharf.
We successfully delivered a program of works that matched our client’s timeline and ensured they were notified of key potential risks which needed to be accounted for prior to construction taking place.
In addition, our team of specialist saved our client substantial costs by significantly reducing of the volume of dredged material required and by reducing the dimensions of the bund, thereby minimising the imported select fill volumes for the bund.
LCP Stage 2 bunds design
In 2019, our geotechnical team delivered the detailed design for the Stage 2 bunds that also included two alternative designs for Battery Point to protect Mahinga Kai resources.
Our services included complex numerical analyses that assessed the stability and settlement of the two new bunds, the design of tsunami-resilient rock armouring, and the preliminary analyses for the proposed wharf.
Our team delivered a design that allowed for construction simplicity, provided advice on possible slope failures and recommendations for the programming of construction activities to limit risk to people and plant.
Client name: Lyttelton Port Company
Location: Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand
Duration: 2014 – 2020
Services provided: Geotechnical engineering services