During the construction of the Taizhou Bay Land-Island Integrated Terminal Project in Zhejiang by CCCC Third Harbor Engineering Bureau, the project team leveraged their extensive marine engineering expertise, established technical task force of CPC members, meticulously designed pile-driving solutions, addressing series of challenges of heavy sea waves, complex geological formations, and limited construction windows, successfully executing high-quality pile-driving operations.
Technical preparations for pile driving
“The project requires driving a total of 808 marine steel pipe piles, with the longest measuring 86 meters,” explained project manager Jia Yongnan. “This ‘super-length’ characteristic, combined with the site’s geological conditions, places extremely high demands on both equipment and techniques for the pile-driving operation.”To ensure timely and high-quality completion, chief engineer Cheng Jianchun led the establishment of technical task force of a CPC member before pile-driving commenced. The team identified key technical innovation areas and conducted targeted research to address construction challenges.
The project site's thick sand layer - while geologically strong - proved unsuitable as a bearing stratum. According to design specifications, the steel pipe piles had to penetrate into this layer, resulting in frequent pile-driving vessel breakdowns and low operational efficiency. In the face of these challenges, Chief Engineer Cheng Jianchun spearheaded dedicated technical research. Working around the clock with his team, Cheng facilitated the translation of theoretical solutions into practical applications. Through extensive data review and simulation exercises, they continuously refined operational details, optimized construction parameters, and ultimately developed crucial technical support that ensured smooth on-site progress.
To enhance pile-driving efficiency, Deputy Project Manager Xu Yaojun orchestrated the optimal deployment of vessels, personnel and equipment resources. The team ultimately developed an innovative solution of “dual-vessel, dual-approach” : supplementing the existing SPHCC-110 self-elevating pile-driving vessel “Sanhang Pile 22” (a 110-meter jack-up rotary piling barge independently developed by CCCC Third Harbor Engineering Bureau) with an additional piling barge. This created simultaneous work fronts at both ends of the approach bridge, establishing a multi-point coordinated construction system that ensured highly efficient pile-driving operations.
Implementing scientific and precise strategies to overcome the challenges by wind and wave
The large piling vessel requires a deep draft for steel pipe pile installation, necessitating tide levels above 4 meters for operation. With only two daily tidal windows available, the project team implemented a construction strategy of "tide-chasing, gap-seizing" . By optimizing work organization and increasing resource allocation, they established 24-hour dual-shift operations to ensure immediate mobilization when tidal conditions permitted—maximizing every minute. Additionally, the team conducted pre-construction dredging in the piling area to guarantee both safe vessel positioning and operational efficiency during high tide.
As the primary piling vessel, Sanhang Pile 22 proved instrumental in tackling the super-length steel pipe pile installation with its 110-meter pile frame height, 1,000-ton lifting capacity, and 360-degree full-rotation capability. However, Chief Engineer Cheng Jianchun recognized that advanced equipment alone wasn't enough—its full potential could only be realized through meticulous management integration. As the technical lead, Cheng spearheaded comprehensive data collection on site-specific geological conditions, wind patterns, and current dynamics. Through close collaboration with the design team, he optimized both the steel pipe pile design and construction parameters, ultimately developing a specialized installation protocol to ensure the seamless insertion of these extra-long piles into the seabed.
During pile-driving operations, the project team utilized the centimeter-level precision satellite positioning system onboard the piling vessels to achieve three-dimensional coordinate positioning for each steel pipe pile, ensuring accurate placement. Facing unique challenges posed by the extended approach bridge (unlike conventional wharf areas), combined with adverse wind conditions, heavy swells, restricted working zones, and limited construction windows in the operation area, the team implemented an hourly-precise vessel scheduling system. By optimizing entry timing and positioning for each vessel, they significantly improved piling efficiency - laying crucial groundwork for subsequent construction phases. Through close coordination between technical, quality control and safety teams, the two piling vessels operated simultaneously within the construction zone, achieving a daily rate of 4 piles per vessel. During peak periods, the team successfully drove up to 12 piles in a single day.
Riding the Tide of Taizhou Bay, A New Chapter Begins. The project team at CCCC Third Harbor Engineering Bureau's Taizhou Bay Land-Island Integrated Terminal in Zhejiang has successfully overcome complex hydroclimatic challenges through technological innovation, scientific solutions, and precision execution, completing the high-quality installation of extra-long steel pipe piles. Moving forward, the team will continue to wield technology as their spear and hard work as their shield, ensuring the safe, high-standard, and timely completion of this landmark project—a testament to Taizhou Bay New Area's maritime ambitions.
Source: China Transport News