Foundations for the Future: The Importance of Marine Piling Installations
While marine pilings might not be something you think about daily, they’re very important when building near water. These pilings are like strong underwater pillars supporting docks, bridges, and much more. They quietly help make the future of coastal construction possible. That’s why it’s a good idea to understand how these underwater pillars work and why they matter for safe structures near the water. Here’s what you need to know.
Typical Applications for Marine Piling Installations
Marine piling installations lay the foundation for success when building structures in or near waterways. Whether you’re building near a river, lake, or coastal area, these pillars make all kinds of projects possible. Let’s explore some areas where these installations provide invaluable support.
Bridges: Bridges that cross rivers, lakes, or seas must have solid support underneath. It’s marine pilings that provide support by anchoring the bridge’s structure into the rock-solid foundation beneath the water’s surface.
Piers and wharves: Marine piling installations serve as the primary source of support for piers and wharves. This ensures that they don’t wobble or collapse even when holding the weight of buildings, amusement park rides, and all the people who visit these places.
Docks and marinas: For fishing boats, yachts, and even dinghies to park safely, you must have safe and secure docks and marinas. Marine piling installations keep all the structures in place so even the biggest boats cannot drift away. They also create habitats for marine creatures.
Coastal defense: Many coastlines are at risk from erosion and rising water levels, especially when faced with heavy storms. Marine pilings can act as a barrier, helping shield coastal communities from dangerous rising water levels.
These are just a few examples of how marine piling installations play a role in construction near water. More specialized applications include coastal wind farms, ferry terminals, and oil and gas platforms.
Appropriate Material Options for Marine Pilings
The materials used for marine pilings have to be tough because they’re submerged in harsh aquatic environments. Using the right materials ensures the pilings stay strong and don’t fall apart prematurely. The three following materials are best suited for these installations.
Concrete: Concrete is durable, affordable, and doesn’t quickly degrade in the water. It can be poured, precast, or pre-stressed to handle heavy loads like bridges, piers, and wharves.
Steel: Steel is a high-strength material with the ability to withstand impacts. Adding a coating for long-term corrosion resistance is necessary, which keeps the water from quickly rusting the metal.
Timber: Properly treated wood like oak or pine is a high-strength material for marine piling installations. It has excellent corrosion resistance but a slightly shorter service life than concrete or steel.
Smaller marine piling installations might even be made from vinyl, plastic, or composite materials. They’re often selected due to their light weight, low environmental impact, and ability to withstand harsh conditions, but they’re not strong enough to support large structures.
Proven Marine Piling Installation Methods
Installing marine pilings brings unique challenges due to having to work beneath the water’s surface. However, several proven techniques exist to successfully place piles to support everything from docks to offshore platforms.
The most common approach is pile driving. This technique involves hammering concrete, steel, or timber piles into the sediment using powerful hammers. These hydraulic or diesel hammers mount on barges to allow for offshore pile driving. It’s also possible to place the marine pilings using vibratory drivers.
Drilling is another marine piling installation option. It’s best suited for softer pile materials and seabed sediments. The drilling equipment creates bore holes in the sediment, making enough space to place the piles without deforming the material. This method is also much quieter and produces less vibration.
Choosing the right marine piling installation method depends on the pile material, sediment, and site conditions. By following the best practices, it’s possible to install marine pilings that withstand the test of time.
Site Considerations Affecting Piling Placement
When planning marine piling installations, installers must evaluate the site for suitability. Placement largely depends on the seabed conditions, water depth, and tidal range. Those considerations are key in placing piles that can withstand strong currents and waves.
Oftentimes, the local weather conditions play a role as well. Strong winds and extreme weather events can put the marine pilings under significant forces. This could reduce their lifespan if installers don’t select the right material and installation method.
If you’re planning to build near the water, working with licensed contractors is the best way to ensure lasting results. Our team at Property Image has over 20 years of experience constructing high-quality structures in challenging environments. We do everything from complete property builds to ongoing maintenance. To discuss your project, give us a call at (850) 374-8203.