Application of a composite pier structure by steel piles and precast concrete blocks to the restoration of a damaged quay wall in the port of Kobe

Abstract

A new type of pier, which is composed of a composite structure by steel piles and precast concrete blocks, is applied to the restoration work of a damaged quay wall at Shinko Pier No.5 in the port of Kobe by the 1995 Hyogoken-Nambu earthquake. The new pier has an inpermeable wall at backside for earth retaining and a permeable wall at seaside for dissipating reflected waves. This type of pier, which has the characteristics of high earthquake-proof, high resistance to erosion and rapid execution at sea, can be constructed in relatively small forwarding width in front of the damaged quay.