Floating Pier Designed for Category 4 Hurricane and Seismic Conditions at NOAA Pier Romeo

Abstract: The new Pier Romeo floating pier in North Charleston, South Carolina, funded in part by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), will allow for the homeporting of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) vessels Nancy Foster and Ronald H Brown to accommodate staff and mission needs. The existing pile supported fixed pier and associated utilities have been condemned and will be demolished as part of the project. The new floating pier will allow NOAA ships to have access to shoreside utilities and provide for vessel operations and support. The project includes new vehicle and pedestrian access via elevated gangway and trestle structures, an approach ramp and new seawall to protect the facility from storms and future sea level rise (SLR). Additionally, the project boasts a new living shoreline component for protection of the ecosystem and on-shore site improvements including a new LEED Silver warehouse for mission support. The new floating pier will provide NOAA with a modernized facility with the flexibility to meet current and future hurricane storms and sea level rise changes.

This paper describes the design and construction considerations of the new floating pier and technical challenges related to both a floating pier design and project requirements for Category 4 Hurricane loading conditions. The paper provides a summary of the unique seismic loading conditions for the South Carolina location and how the design addresses the seismic response of the structures. The paper also addresses the technical challenges related to planned vessel mooring during hurricane storm conditions. It also includes a summary of the new seawall design for storm loadings and the incorporation of a living shoreline. The paper addresses technical challenges related to the storm and seismic loading conditions while meeting the requirements for a Risk Category IV facility, and the operational challenges related to a floating pier which can be disconnected from the permanent pile foundations and taken off-site for maintenance.

The paper summarizes how the project requirements and technical considerations have been incorporated into the floating pier and supporting structures design to achieve the goals of a new facility built to withstand future storms, sea level rise, and provide ecosystem protection while allowing for NOAA to homeport vessels.

How does this project / topic contribute to the advancement of the industry and profession?: The paper illustrates design methods used to upgrade an existing facility to meet new demands from future storms and sea level rise and to provide flexibility in pier operations for future water levels and maintenance requirements.

Does the project / topic implement new and innovative techniques, materials, technologies, and delivery methods?: The new floating pier design implements a pier designed to moor NOAA vessels during a Category 4 Hurricane. The new pier vehicle and pedestrian marine structures also implement an innovative trestle and gangway structure designed to alleviate gravity loading on the floating pier. This project includes the design for ecosystem protection via living shorelines.

What was the most challenging aspect of your project / topic and how did you handle it to ensure success?: The most challenging aspects were the technical requirements for vessel storm mooring during Category 4 hurricane conditions.

Who is the target audience for this paper?: Designers and owners considering floating piers for new site construction or replacement of existing facilities. Especially considering the flexibility floating piers provide relative to fixed piers when evaluating for future storms and sea level rise.