Terra: International Association of Dredging Companies

International Association of Dredging Companies Number 108 | September 2007
TERRA ET
AQUA
Maritime Solutions for a Changing World
MEMBERSHIP LIST IADC 2007
Through their regional branches or through representatives, members of IADC operate directly at all locations worldwide
Editor IADC Board of Directors AFRICA Jan De Nul (UK) Ltd., Ascot, UK
Marsha R. Cohen R. van Gelder, President Dredging and Reclamation Jan De Nul Ltd., Lagos, Nigeria Rock Fall Company Ltd., Aberdeen, UK
Dredging International Services Nigeria Ltd., Ikoyi Lagos, Nigeria Van Oord UK Ltd., Newbury, UK
Y. Kakimoto, Vice President Nigerian Westminster Dredging and Marine Ltd., Lagos, Nigeria Westminster Dredging Co. Ltd., Fareham, UK
Editorial Advisory Committee C. van Meerbeeck, Treasurer Van Oord Nigeria Ltd., Ikeja-Lagos, Nigeria Irish Dredging Company, Cork, Ireland
Dredging International - Tunisia Branch, Tunis, Tunisia Van Oord Ireland Ltd., Dublin, Ireland
Roel Berends, Chairman C. Marconi Boskalis Italia, Rome, Italy
Boskalis South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
Constantijn Dolmans P. de Ridder Dravo SA, Italia, Amelia (TR), Italy
Hubert Fiers P.G. Roland ASIA Societa Italiana Dragaggi SpA ‘SIDRA’, Rome, Italy
Far East Dredging (Taiwan) Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan ROC European Dredging Company s.a., Steinfort, Luxembourg
Bert Groothuizen G. Vandewalle Far East Dredging Ltd. Hong Kong, P.R. China TOA (LUX) S.A., Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Philip Roland Van Oord ACZ Marine Contractors b.v. Hong Kong Branch, Hong Kong, P.R. China Dredging and Maritime Management s.a., Steinfort, Luxembourg
Van Oord ACZ Marine Contractors b.v. Shanghai Branch, Shanghai, P.R. China Baltic Marine Contractors SIA, Riga, Latvia
Heleen Schellinck P.T. Boskalis International Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia Aannemingsbedrijf L. Paans & Zonen, Gorinchem, Netherlands
Roberto Vidal Martin P.T. Penkonindo LLC, Jakarta, Indonesia Baggermaatschappij Boskalis B.V., Papendrecht, Netherlands
Van Oord India Pte. Ltd., Mumbai, India Ballast Nedam Baggeren b.v., Rotterdam, Netherlands
Hugo De Vlieger
Boskalis Dredging India Pvt Ltd., Mumbai, India Boskalis B.V., Rotterdam, Netherlands
Van Oord ACZ India Pte. Ltd., Mumbai, India Boskalis International B.V., Papendrecht, Netherlands
Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt. Ltd., India Boskalis Offshore b.v., Papendrecht, Netherlands
Penta-Ocean Construction Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan Dredging and Contracting Rotterdam b.v., Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands
Toa Corporation, Tokyo, Japan Ham Dredging Contractors b.v., Rotterdam, Netherlands
Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea Mijnster zand- en grinthandel b.v., Gorinchem, Netherlands
Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors b.v. Korea Branch, Busan, Republic of Korea Tideway B.V., Breda, Netherlands
Ballast Ham Dredging (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia Van Oord ACZ Marine Contractors b.v., Rotterdam, Netherlands
Tideway DI Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Van Oord Nederland b.v., Gorinchem, Netherlands
Van Oord (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Selangor, Malaysia Van Oord n.v., Rotterdam, Netherlands
Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors b.v. Philippines Branch, Manilla, Philippines Van Oord Offshore b.v., Gorinchem, Netherlands
Boskalis International Pte. Ltd., Singapore Van Oord Overseas b.v., Gorinchem, Netherlands
Dredging International Asia Pacific (Pte) Ltd., Singapore Water Injection Dredging b.v., Rotterdam, Netherlands
Jan De Nul Singapore Pte. Ltd., Singapore Dragapor Dragagens de Portugal S.A., Alcochete, Portugal
IADC
Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors b.v. Singapore Branch, Singapore Dravo S.A., Lisbon, Portugal
Constantijn Dolmans, Secretary General Baggerwerken Decloedt en Zoon N.V., St Petersburg, Russia
Alexanderveld 84 AUSTRALIA Ballast Ham Dredging, St. Petersburg, Russia
Boskalis Australia Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia Boskalis Sweden AB, Gothenburg, Sweden
2585 DB The Hague Dredeco Pty. Ltd., Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Van Oord Australia Pty. Ltd., Brisbane, QLD, Australia MIDDLE EAST
WA Shell Sands Pty. Ltd., Perth, Australia Boskalis Westminster M.E. Ltd., Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Mailing adress:
NZ Dredging & General Works Ltd., Maunganui, New Zealand Gulf Cobla (Limited Liability Company), Dubai, U.A.E.
P.O. Box 80521 Jan De Nul Dredging Ltd. (Dubai Branch), Dubai, U.A.E.
2508 GM The Hague EUROPE Van Oord Gulf FZE, Dubai, U.A.E.
DEME Building Materials N.V. (DBM), Zwijndrecht, Belgium Boskalis Westminster Middle East Ltd., Manama, Bahrain
The Netherlands Dredging International N.V., Zwijndrecht, Belgium Boskalis Westminster (Oman) LLC, Muscat, Oman
International Seaport Private Ltd., Zwijndrecht, Belgium Boskalis Westminster Middle East, Doha, Qatar
Jan De Nul n.v., Hofstede/Aalst, Belgium Boskalis Westminster Al Rushaid Co. Ltd., Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
T +31 (70) 352 3334
N.V. Baggerwerken Decloedt & Zoon, Oostende, Belgium HAM Saudi Arabia Company Ltd., Damman, Saudi Arabia
F +31 (70) 351 2654 Boskalis Westminster Dredging & Contracting Ltd., Cyprus
E [email protected] Van Oord Middle East Ltd., Nicosia, Cyprus THE AMERICAS
Brewaba Wasserbaugesellschaft Bremen m.b.H., Bremen, Germany Van Oord Curaçao n.v., Willemstad, Curaçao
I www.iadc-dredging.com Heinrich Hirdes G.m.b.H., Hamburg, Germany Compañía Sud Americana de Dragados S.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina
I www.terra-et-aqua.com International Association of Dredging Companies Nordsee Nassbagger - und Tiefbau G.m.b.H., Wilhelmshaven, Germany Van Oord ACZ Marine Contractors b.v. Argentina Branch, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Terramare Eesti OU, Tallinn, Estonia Ballast Ham Dredging do Brazil Ltda., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
DRACE, Madrid, Spain Dragamex S.A. de C.V., Coatzacoalcos, Mexico
Dravo SA, Madrid, Spain Dredging International Mexico S.A. de C.V., Veracruz, Mexico
Sociedade Española de Dragados S.A., Madrid, Spain Mexicana de Dragados S.A. de C.V., Mexico City, Mexico
Terramare Oy, Helsinki, Finland Coastal and Inland Marine Services Inc., Bethania, Panama
Please address enquiries to the editor. Articles in Atlantique Dragage S.A., Nanterre, France Stuyvesant Dredging Company, Louisiana, U.S.A.
Terra et Aqua do not necessarily reflect the opinion Atlantique Dragage Sarl, Paris, France Boskalis International Uruguay S.A., Montevideo, Uruguay
Société de Dragage International ‘SDI’ S.A., Lambersart, France Dravensa C.A., Caracas, Venezuela
of the IADC Board or of individual members.
Sodranord SARL, Le Blanc - Mesnil Cédex, France Dredging International N.V. - Sucursal Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
Dredging International (UK) Ltd., Weybridge, UK
COVER Terra et Aqua is published quarterly by the IADC, The International Association of © 2007 IADC, The Netherlands
Traffic on the Panama Canal is constant, day and night, with more than 13,000 ships, from private yachts to Dredging Companies. The journal is available on request to individuals or organisations All rights reserved. Electronic storage, reprinting or abstracting of the contents is
Panamax cargo vessels, transiting everyday. Even crucial dredging operations for deepening and widening the with a professional interest in dredging and maritime infrastructure projects including allowed for non-commercial purposes with permission of the publisher.
Canal are not allowed to interrupt the flow of vessels (see page 27). the development of ports and waterways, coastal protection, land reclamation,
offshore works, environmental remediation and habitat restoration. The name Terra et ISSN 0376-6411
Aqua is a registered trademark.
Typesetting and printing by Opmeer Drukkerij bv, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Contents 1
CONTENTS
EDITORIAL 2
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF 3

RECLAMATIONS WORKS CLOSE TO SENSITIVE HABITATS
STÉPHANIE M. DOORN-GROEN
Feedback monitoring provides quantifiable compliance targets thus
allowing reclamation activities to proceed in close proximity to
Singapore’s most import marine habitats.
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE – GROUND IMPROVEMENT TRIALS 19

AT THE PORT OF BRISBANE
PETER BOYLE, JAY AMERATUNGA, CYNTHIA DE BOK AND BILL TRANBERG
Historically the consolidation of reclaimed land takes about 10 years, but
with the urgent need for land expansion, new ground improvement techniques
are being tested to shorten the timeframe for preparing the land for use.
PANAMA CANAL ATLANTIC ENTRANCE EXPANSION PROJECT 27

JAN NECKEBROECK
The challenge of widening and deepening the Canal without obstructing
the heavy vessel traffic in transit was met by using state-of-the-art, large
capacity, self-propelled dredging equipment.
BOOKS/PERIODICALS REVIEWED 32
Useless Arithmetic by Pilkey and Pilkey-Jarvis challenges conventional
wisdom about the accuracy of predicative modeling.
SEMINARS/CONFERENCES/EVENTS 33
Autumn conferences in Bulgaria, Antwerp, London and
Rotterdam are scheduled as well as a Call for Papers for CEDA
Dredging Days 2008 in Belgium.
2 Terra et Aqua | Number 108 | September 2007
TERRA ET
AQUA
EDITORIAL
According to the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary, innovation means driven by “the introduction
of something new; a new idea, method or device”. Innovation is the major source for new products
and new technologies. In other words, the major source for progress.
We view the activities of the dredging industry as drivers of progress; but constructing new land,
building coastal defence systems and maintaining and expanding our ports are not without impacts.
To achieve lasting progress in maritime construction requires innovations that balance the economy
and the ecology.
For the international dredging and maritime construction industry, innovation is an ever-present and
continuous process. It is the driver that keeps the industry at the top of its game. Innovation means
constantly striving to be better, to find more cost-effective dredging methods, more efficient ships
and technologies, improved means of site investigations, and advanced environmental impact
assessments. In recent decades, numerous innovations in the modern dredging industry have made
it possible to reshape many regions and coastal areas.
In this issue of Terra three large infrastructure projects in very different areas of the world are
represented: Singapore; Brisbane, Australia; and the Panama Canal. Each of these projects is
characterised by the significance of seeking, and finding, new ways to serve economic and
environmental interests alike.
In Singapore’s sensitive coral reef habitats, traditional methods for environmental management were
not sufficient. This IADC Award-winning paper from WODCON XVIII explains the intricacies of an
environmental monitoring and management system that helps dredgers comply with the strictest
environmental standards and ensure the preservation of the priceless coral reefs.
In Australia, the need for new land is outpacing the ability to create it. The Port of Brisbane Corporation,
therefore, has started trials to find innovative ways to hasten the preparation of land reclamations so
that the land can be utilised more quickly. The aim is to cut the time needed for the new land to
consolidate from 10 years to 5 years.
And in this post-Panamax age, widening and deepening the Panama Canal – one of the essential
arteries for world trade – has become a priority. Thanks to the unique capabilities of the modern
international fleet of large, sophisticated dredging vessels, some of this work has already been
successfully completed at an accelerated rate and without disturbance or interruption of vessels
transiting the Canal.
None of these projects would have been possible without the commitment of the dredging industry
and its suppliers to research and development. The quest for innovation energizes the industry’s
engineers, scientists and project managers to meet the daily challenges that come with maritime
construction. It also inspires them to look to the future and to seek long-term solutions for potential
challenges. At the same time, these creative, innovative technologies provide clients and the public
at large with the economic progress and the ecological sustainability they desire and deserve.
Robert van Gelder

President, IADC Board of Directors
Environmental Monitoring and Management of Reclamations Works Close to Sensitive Habitats 3
STÉPHANIE M. DOORN-GROEN
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND

MANAGEMENT OF RECLAMATIONS WORKS
CLOSE TO SENSITIVE HABITATS
A B S T R AC T into account specific habitat tolerance limits Regional Director Southeast Asia, DHI Water
for varying magnitudes and durations of & Environment (S) Pte Ltd to this research.
Traditional methods for environmental sediment loading. Refinements to sediment This paper was first presented at WODCON
management of marine reclamation works plume models were undertaken to enhance XVIII in June 2007 and was published in the
close to sensitive habitats have generally their ability to hindcast impacts from the conference Proceedings. It is reprinted here
not provided the level of control necessary contractors’ complex reclamation schedules. in a slightly revised version with permission.
to ensure preservation of these habitats. Methods for segregation of impacts and
Obtaining the level of control necessary to assessment of cumulative impacts were also
assure authorities and non-governmental integrated into the hindcast procedures. INTRODUCTION
organisations (NGOs) of compliance with Finally, the article describes the updating
environmental quality objectives, requires of tolerance limits and confirmation of spill The tropical waters in Singapore provide
quantifiable compliance targets covering budgets via targeted habitat monitoring. excellent conditions for marine life, owing
multiple temporal and spatial scales. to relatively constant tropical water
To date, the EMMPs have been able to temperatures and frequent fresh ocean
Of equal importance to allow feedback of document compliance of the works to all through flow from both the South China
monitoring results into compliance targets pre-project environmental quality objectives Sea and Melaka Straits. Coral, seagrass and
and work methods are effective and rapid at a level of reliability that cannot be refuted mangrove habitats have been found to be
response mechanisms. This article describes by third parties. This has minimised the relatively rich in Singapore. The diversity of
the successful implementation of developers’ and contractors’ exposure to the coral habitats in Singapore is confirmed
comprehensive Environmental Monitoring public complaints and liabilities associated by the fact that of the 106 coral genera
and Management Plans (EMMP), based with environmental impacts. The EMMPs existing world wide (Veron et al. 2000),
upon such feedback principles, which allow have thus allowed the reclamation activities 55 genera are documented in Singapore
reclamation activities to proceed in close to proceed in an efficient manner, whilst waters alone (Tun et al. 2004), compared
proximity to Singapore’s most important ensuring protection of the environment. to 13 genera found in the Caribbean.
marine habitats under third party scrutiny. For seagrass habitats, 12 species out of 57
The author wishes to acknowledge the known species are found in Singapore
Specific focus is placed on describing the important contributions of Thomas M. Foster, (Waycott et al. 2004), whereas 24 out of
methods utilised to quantify compliance 54 true and minor mangrove species have
with daily spill budget targets and how Above, For coral reef areas subject to direct impact, been found in Singapore so far (Thomlinson
such targets and compliances are assessed. coral relocation is undertaken prior to the start of 1999). These numbers document the high
To improve reliability, the spill budgets take reclamations works. diversity of marine habitats in a relatively
small environment as Singapore and limits and tolerance limits, based on the The main components of Feedback EMMPs,
emphasize the importance of marine results of sedimentation monitoring and as implemented in Singapore are:
habitat conservation in Singapore. habitat monitoring. To ensure the accuracy
of the entire system, the performance is i) Environmental Baseline
Owing to the confined nature of Singapore confirmed on a daily basis via control Feedback variables are identified,
waters and the presence of a large number monitoring of sediment spill. instrumented and monitored for a
of patch reefs, reclamation and associated statistically significant period prior
dredging activities (in the following referred This article presents how the various to construction, which is typically
to generically as reclamation activities), components of the EMMP are established and in the order of 3 to 6 months.
often take place in very close proximity to executed, together with the refinements Variables monitored include all
coral reefs and seagrass areas. In addition, necessary to ensure a level of responsiveness key environmental receptors such
increasing industrial development results appropriate to the importance of the as corals reefs, seagrass beds,
in developments also occurring close to receptors. mangroves, turbidity, water quality,
sensitive industrial water intakes. currents and sedimentation.
This phase also includes the
Recognizing the value of these marine BASIC COMPONENTS OF THE EMMP confirmation of the environmental
habitat and industrial resources, Singapore quality objectives for the project
has established strict Environmental Quality The EMMP is the primary method of control and environmental tolerance limits.
Objectives (EQO) for marine construction to ensure EQOs relating to marine habitats If compensatory works are required,
activities. In order to document compliance and other environmental receptors are met. such as coral relocation from direct
with these EQOs, pro-active Environmental The EMMP is further a tool to: impact areas, this is also undertaken
Monitoring and Management Plans (EMMP) • detect any unexpected impacts at an at this stage of the EMMP.
based upon feedback monitoring principles early stage,
are required for marine construction activities • establish the response necessary to ii) Elaboration of work plans
to proceed, when these are in close address such impacts, and The appointed reclamation contractor
proximity to key environmental receptors. • confirm that appropriate tolerance elaborates a work plan, specifying the
limits have been adopted. distribution of the work in time and
Introduced in Europe in the 1990s and space, procedures and equipment.
refined during the EMMP works for the The feedback approach of the EMMP is
Øresund Link between Denmark and pro-active. It links the results of detailed iii) Assessment of work plans
Sweden (Møller 2000) and Bali Turtle Island, numerical hindcast models of the sediment The effect of performing the work plan
Indonesia (Driscoll et al. 1997), feedback plumes resulting from reclamation activities on the environment is assessed through
EMMP provides the level of responsiveness with the results from online turbidity and the use of numerical sediment plume
and documentation necessary to assure current sensors, daily spill measurements forecast modelling.
both authorities and other interest groups and periodic habitat surveys, and compares
that the works meet the EQOs throughout these against the spill budget. vi) Revision of work plans
the construction period. If the forecasted impact resulting from
The spill budget is the maximum allowable implementation of the work plan leads
Based upon the strict nature of the EQOs, spill (daily, weekly and fortnightly limits to unacceptable effects, i.e. violation
EMMPs in Singapore are required to are set), which will still ensure (based on of EQOs, the work plan is revised and
establish compliance of the works across the results of sediment plume forecast reassessed. Once the work plan is
multiple temporal and spatial scales: modelling) that the EQOs are met. finalised a final EMMP specification
• Compliance assessment against daily As environmental receptors, like corals, document is drawn up that specifies
spill budget targets at the work area; have a different tolerance against the detailed execution, response and
• Real-time monitoring and compliance suspended sediment levels than for example management process for the EMMP.
assessment against response limits, mangroves, individual tolerance limits are In particular, the final EMMP specification
particularly for intakes and reefs in defined for each environmental receptor. includes a spill budget (for each phase
close proximity to the work area; of the reclamation), which is the limiting
• Compliance assessment against results The tolerance limits play an important role amount of spill that will still result in the
of daily hindcast modelling compared throughout the project, as the daily spill EQOs being met and against which the
to habitat tolerance limits throughout budget is based on these individual limits. day-to-day control of the reclamation
the potential impact area. Both tolerance limits and spill budgets are work can be assessed.
evaluated and updated during the project,
The feedback mechanism allows for based on results of the habitat monitoring v) Construction phase
updating of the spill budget limits, response campaigns. Reclamation commences.
vi) Compliance monitoring spatial impacts of the construction

Monitoring of daily compliance variables phase are assessed. If EQOs are violated,
against the pre-determined sediment mitigation actions are established,
spill limits (spill budget). If daily assessed and undertaken. On the basis
compliance limits are violated, mitigation of the realized impacts, environmental
actions are established and implemented. criteria (tolerance limits) and compliance
If no violations of limits occur, reclamation criteria (spill budgets) for the next
work and daily monitoring continue. construction phase are updated (the
Compliance monitoring is reported on feedback loop).
a daily basis and to ensure the level of
responsiveness, reporting is required a xi) Next construction phase
maximum of 45 hours in arrears of any The construction and monitoring process
reclamation activity. returns to task v) for each major stage
of the reclamation and the process is
Stéphanie M. Doorn-Groen receiving an IADC vii) Control monitoring repeated until reclamation is complete.
Award for young authors from Constantijn Monitoring of real time measurements
Dolmans, Secretary General of IADC. and comparison to response limits, xii) Completion of construction
such as online turbidity data or weekly An environmental audit is produced at
sedimentation data. If no violations of the end of the construction period as
IADC AWARD 2007 limits occur, work and control monitoring formal documentation of the impacts
PRESENTED AT WODCON XVIII, continue. Control monitoring is reported realised during the construction phase.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA, USA to the time scale of the monitoring This is based upon the result of the
MAY 27-JUNE 1, 2007 activity (daily or weekly). compliance, control, habitat and support
monitoring together with the results of
An IADC Best Paper Award was presented to viii) Spill hindcast the hindcast modelling of impacts. The
Stéphanie M. Doorn-Groen, Manager Engineering Spill hindcast documents the impact environmental audit is based on a final
Services at DHI Singapore, who has been based of the reclamation progress on the habitat survey usually carried out three
in Southeast Asia since May 2002 and joined DHI environment remote to the work site. months after the end of construction.
Singapore in January 2004. She graduated in The spill hindcast is based upon realized
2000 with a BSc (Civil Engineering) from the production schedules, composition of The main advantages of this approach to
Polytechnic The Hague, the Netherlands and in fill material and actual tide conditions. EMMPs are:
2002 with a MSc (Civil Engineering Management The assessment is made through the • Compliance measurements are targeted
& Geotechnology) from South Bank University use of numerical sediment plume in the sediment plume resulting from
London, UK. Her previous experience was as a hindcast modelling, with the hindcast dredging and reclamation activities,
geotechnical adviser for Fugro Onshore updated every day. Reporting of the as close as possible to the source of
Geotechnical bv, as a superintendent and hindcast is made a maximum of three spill at the given time of measurement.
technical employee for the dredging company days in arrears of the actual progress of This provides a much more accurate
Van Oord bv and for Municipal Works, Ports, the reclamation works so that remote measurement of suspended sediment
Design & Construct, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. impacts are captured prior to them spill than can be achieved via fixed
becoming significant. turbidity sensor stations, which often
Each year at selected conferences, the lie outside the sediment plume for
International Association of Dredging Companies ix) Habitat monitoring individual dredging or reclamation
grants awards for the best papers written by Monitoring of biological habitat operations.
younger authors. In each case the Conference feedback variables is performed to an • Numerical sediment plume forecast
Paper Committee is asked to recommend a appropriate time schedule for the models allow assessment of changes
prizewinner whose paper makes a significant anticipated response rates. This is typically to the spill budget for variations in
contribution to the literature on dredging and once every three months for coral reefs, complex reclamation schedules and
related fields. The purpose of the IADC Award is seagrass beds and mangrove areas. varying tide and ocean current
“to stimulate the promotion of new ideas and conditions, thereby ensuring the spill
encourage younger men and women in the x) Evaluation of construction phase budget is the most appropriate for the
dredging industry”. The winner of an IADC Award Based on the results of the biological given stage of the works given the
receives Euros 1000 and a certificate of monitoring of feedback variables and specific equipment to be utilized and
recognition and the paper may then be published the results of the numerical spill timing of the activity.
in Terra et Aqua. hindcast modelling of the realized • The hindcast model documents the
construction process, the temporal and spatial distribution of impacts at all
the receptor sites in the vicinity of the mortalities, but to a spatial scale that Coral tolerance to suspended
reclamation site with far broader spatial is unlikely to have any secondary sediments
scale and finer temporal resolution than consequences. In simplified terms, as hard corals are
can be achieved via habitat monitoring • Moderate impact: Changes can be dependent on symbiotic photosynthesizing
in isolation. resolved by the numerical models and are zooxanthellae for their nutrient supply and
• The hindcast model keeps a running detectable in the field. Moderate impacts survival, they are sensitive to increased
balance of the cumulative sedimentation are expected to be locally significant. turbidity levels as the reduction in light
impact levels based on actual production • Major impact: Changes are detectable penetration through the water column
provided by the reclamation contractor. in the field and are likely to be related adversely affects the photosynthesis
Increasing levels of sedimentation can be to complete habitat loss. Major impacts process. Perhaps more seriously, elevated
detected at an early stage and mitigating are likely to have secondary influences sedimentation levels can clog the corals’
measures can be applied, if necessary. on other ecosystems. respiratory and feeding system, whilst also
• The combined use of daily spill causing complete light extinction to the
compliance monitoring, control The task of defining EQOs rests with the impacted area of the colony.
monitoring and hindcast modelling allows authorities and is made on an area by area,
the EMMP to respond rapidly and reliably habitat by habitat basis. For reclamation The level of sensitivity depends on the
to different temporal impact scales (from projects in Singapore, “Slight Impact” is characteristics of the corals, with plate
for example, short term exceedences typically allowed in the area immediately corals like Pachyseris sp. proving the most
resulting from, for example, unexpected adjacent to (within 500 m) of the work sensitive to increased sedimentation and
events, to long-term trends resulting area, whilst “No Impact” is required for all least sensitive to reduction in light
from, for example, deterioration in the environmental receptors remote from the penetration. Conversely, branching corals
quality of fill material). work area. For coral reef areas subject to such as Acropora sp. show the opposite
• The feedback loop ensures that tolerance direct impact (i.e. under the reclamation sensitivity trend. Clearly, other impacts such
limits and resultant spill budgets are profile), it is presently common practice in as degradation of substrate impacting
consistent with the specific sensitivity Singapore to compensate for the habitat attachment of coralline larvae are also
of the environmental receptors in the loss by undertaking a coral relocation important to the overall impact level
impact area. exercise prior to start of reclamation works. experienced by a reef. However, the present
state of the art cannot quantify such
details, which are therefore captured via
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OBJECTIVES TOLERANCE LIMITS AND the habitat monitoring component of the
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OBJECTIVES EMMP rather than via the tolerance limits.
In order to set EQOs for a project, it is Background levels vary from region to
essential that a classification scale is adopted The linkage between project EQOs and region and are very site specific. Research
to define the scale of impacts that may be spill budget depends on the method of from the Barrier Reef (Harriot et al. 1988)
allowed at a given environmental receptor. reclamation and on the tolerance limits of indicates that these corals are tolerant to
The following scale of impact classifications the various environmental receptors, which levels of suspended sediments up to 4 mg/l
has been adopted for several projects in in turn depends upon the pre-project (absolute concentration). However, studies
Singapore: external stress levels on the ecosystem. in Hong Kong have shown tolerance levels
• No impact: Changes are significantly In Singapore, initial tolerance limits for up to 10 mg/l. Extensive monitoring data
below physical detection level and the most sensitive marine habitats (corals from multiple projects in Singapore (where
below the reliability of numerical and seagrass) have been established based changes in reef health, measured as a
models, so that no change to the upon extensive literature review and DHI’s function of live hard coral cover and
quality or functionality of the receptor experience from similar projects in the diversity, has been compared to measured
will occur. South East Asia region. and predicted suspended sediment and
• Slight impact: Changes can be resolved sedimentation levels), has allowed the
by numerical sediment plume models, These tolerance limits have then been development of an coral tolerance matrix
but are difficult to detect in the field as refined over the course of several projects for excess (above background) suspended
they are associated with changes that in Singapore, based upon the results of sediment concentrations, see Table I.
cause stress, not mortality, to marine project specific habitat monitoring.
ecosystems. Slight impacts may be Presently, these limits, as presented below, This table is found to be applicable for the
recoverable once the stress factor has are believed to be the most relevant set of elevated background turbidity levels common
been removed. tolerance data available for coral reefs and in Singapore and the typical Singapore reef
• Minor impact: Changes can be resolved seagrass beds subject to incremental morphology, which is dominated by the
by the numerical models and are likely reclamation impacts on top of elevated more resilient massive corals and plate
to be detected in the field as localized external (non-project related) stress levels. corals, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Typical coral habitats in Singapore.
Coral tolerance to sedimentation

Table I. Impact severity matrix for suspended sediments on corals in
Coral sensitivities to sedimentation are
environments with high background concentrations
determined largely by the particle-trapping
properties of the colony and the ability of Severity Definition (excess concentration)
individual polyps to reject settled materials No Impact Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 5 mg/l
(Figure 2). Horizontal plate-like colonies and for less than 5% of the time
massive growth forms present large stable Slight Impact Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 5 mg/l
surfaces for the interception and retention
for less than 20% of the time
of settling solids. Conversely, vertical plates
Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 10 mg/l
and upright branching forms are less likely
for less than 5% of the time
to retain sediments.
Minor Impact Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 5 mg/l
A threshold (absolute) value of 0.1 kg/m2/day for more than 20% of the time
has previously been adopted as the critical Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 10 mg/l
value for corals in Environmental Impact for less than 20% of the time
Assessments in Hong Kong. However, Moderate Impact Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 10 mg/l
monitoring data from Singapore indicates for more than 20% of the time
that an incremental value of 0.05 kg/m2/day Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 25 mg/l
is more appropriate for the type of coral for more than 5% of the time
habitats and existing stress levels in Singapore Major Impact Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 25 mg/l
waters. Based on these Singapore data sets,
for more than 20% of the time
the tolerance limits presented in Table II are
Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 100 mg/l
found to be relevant for sedimentation
for more than 1% of the time
impact on corals for reefs with naturally high
background sedimentation levels, assuming
Table II. Impact severity matrix for sedimentation impact on corals
a net deposition density of 400 kg/m3.
Severity Definition (excess sedimentation)
Seagrass tolerance to suspended No Impact Sedimentation < 0.05 kg/m2/day (<1.7 mm/14 day)
sediments
Slight Impact Sedimentation < 0.1 kg/m2/day (<3.5 mm/14 day)
Productivity of seagrass can be limited owing
to reduced light penetration resulting from Minor Impact Sedimentation < 0.2 kg/m2/day (<7.0 mm/14 day)
the presence of algal blooms and suspended Moderate Impact Sedimentation < 0.5 kg/m2/day (<17.5 mm/14 day)
sediments. Seagrass requirements for light Major Impact Sedimentation > 0.5 kg/m2/day (>17.5 mm/14 day)
penetration have been well described by
multiple authors, with the habitat being figures concur well with observations within are exposed (Figure 3), indicating a possible
confined to water depths where light levels Singapore waters, which indicates that adaptation to, and higher tolerance to a
are above 10% to 15% of surface seagrass are generally limited to seabed high level of excess suspended sediments.
irradiance. For the normal tidal range areas shallower than –1 m CD. At low tide, For deeper beds, the tolerance is lower, but
experienced in the Singapore area, these many seagrass beds in the Singapore area given the natural background variability in
Figure 2. Sedimentation impact on corals and expulsion of sediment via mucus generation.
suspended sediment load in the Singapore

Table III. Impact severity matrix for suspended sediment impact on Seagrass
area, it is reasonable to assume that the
in high background environments
outer limits of the seagrass are well
adapted (in terms of water depth) to short- Severity Definition (excess concentrations)
term fluctuations in the background No Impact Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 5 mg/l
concentration of 5 to 10 mg/l, such that for less than 20% of the time
excess loadings higher than 5 mg/l will be Slight Impact Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 5 mg/l
required to stimulate a noticeable habitat for more than 20% of the time
change. These findings, coupled with Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 10 mg/l
monitoring experience from the SE Asia for less than 20% of the time
region, result in the proposed impact Minor Impact Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 25 mg/l
severity matrix presented in Table III. for less than 5% of the time
Moderate Impact Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 25 mg/l
Seagrass tolerance to sedimentation for more than 20% of the time
The growth rates of seagrass are high. Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 75 mg/l
Growth in the order of 1 to 2 cm per day for less than 1% of the time
has been recorded for example for Major Impact Excess Suspended Sediment Concentration > 75mg/l
Thalassia sp. (Durate et al. 1999) whilst for more than 20% of the time
growth rates in the order of 0.6 cm per day
have been recorded for Enhalus sp. in Malaysia.
Therefore, the short-term survival of
Table IV. Impact severity matrix for sedimentation impact on Seagrass in high
seagrass beds, which depends on anaerobic
background environments
performance, will only be impacted in the
case of very high sedimentation rates. Such Severity Definition (Excess sedimentation)
critical sedimentation rates will normally No Impact Sedimentation < 0.1 kg/m2/day (<0.25 mm/day)
only occur very close to a reclamation site. Slight Impact Sedimentation < 0.25 kg/m2/day (<0.63 mm/day)
Based on experience in the SE Asia region, Minor Impact Sedimentation < 0.5 kg/m2/day (<1.25 mm/day)
the following impact severity matrix is Moderate Impact Sedimentation < 1.0 kg/m2/day (<2.5 mm/day)
presented for sedimentation impact on Major Impact Sedimentation > 1.0 kg/m2/day (>2.5 mm/day)
seagrass (see Table IV). Other impacts
resulting from increased sedimentation,
such as change in composition of substrate,
are clearly also important to the overall
impact levels experienced by a seagrass bed,
but such detailed impacts are difficult to
quantify and are therefore captured via the
habitat monitoring component of the EMMP.
Figure 3. Typical seagrass habitat

in Singapore.
Mangrove tolerance to suspended

sediments and sedimentation
Mangroves can be considered to be very
tolerant to the range of suspended
sediment loads that may be generated
from dredging and reclamation activities.
Of the various mangrove species, those
with pneumatophore root systems are the
most sensitive to sedimentation (Thampanya
et al. 2002), but even mangroves with
pneumatophore root systems are only
likely to be stressed when prolonged
sedimentation reach levels from 10 cm up
to 30 cm. This level of sedimentation is
unlikely to occur outside the work area,
and mangroves are thus not considered as
sensitive receptors. Never-the-less, as EQOs
are normally specified for mangrove areas,
they are normally included in the habitat
monitoring campaigns for reclamation Figure 4. Typical mangrove habitat in Singapore: Avicennia pneumatophore system (foreground) and
EMMP in Singapore. Figure 4 presents a Rhizophora stilt root system (background).
typical mangrove habitat in Singapore area.
Visual impact and detection limits DAILY COMPLIANCE MONITORING • Start and end time of dredging cycle,
In the turbid environments that are found including delays;
around Singapore, low concentration Based on the EQOs, spill budgets are • Realised reclamation volumes per
sediment plumes in the surface of the defined for each stage of the reclamation dredger for every single trip, including
water column are generally not visible works. The spill budgets are updated as location and method;
(based upon results of remote sensing work progresses and feedback information • Start and end time of reclamation cycle,
analysis) if the excess concentration above confirms their applicability or indicates a including delays;
background does not exceed 5 mg/l. relaxation or tightening is warranted. • Representative sediment samples from
A realistic measurable visual detection limit each load to be analyzed for fine
for non-recreational areas (in the Singapore The contractor’s compliance to the daily spill contents by an external laboratory.
high background turbidity context) would budget is assessed on a daily basis against daily
be a reoccurring plume present for spill budget targets and on a weekly basis In addition to the data provided by the
30-40 minutes per 12 hour daylight period, against weekly and fortnightly spill budget contractor, suspended sediment samples
i.e. an exceedence of about 5% per day, targets. Typically, the fortnightly spill budget is are taken in the main plume discharge of
whilst for recreation areas a limit of 2.5% 60% of the daily spill budget, reflecting the the reclamation site (either as suspended
exceedence proves to be appropriate. ability of most receptors to cope with higher sediment samples (TSS) or sediment flux
levels of stress if they are short-term or inter- measurements using acoustic backscatter
Intake tolerance limits to suspended mittent in nature. Daily compliance to spill technology). The location and the time of
sediments budget targets must be established within a the sampling reflect the reclamation
For many industrial intakes the absolute time frame which will allow response before activities of the contractor and the samples
tolerance limit to suspended sediments is any non-compliance will pose a threat to the are analysed for TSS by an external laboratory.
not known by the operators. In such cases, environment. Therefore, daily compliance
the most practical method for establishing monitoring requires strict daily procedures for This analysis provides a second method of
a tolerance limit is to carry out statistical data delivery from the contractor, to ensure control and serves as a validation for the
analysis on long-term background suspended daily spill calculations, laboratory analysis daily spill calculation and performance of the
sediment data from the immediate area of compliance analysis and reporting can be numerical hindcast models. Based upon the
the intake. It is then possible to carry out a carried out in a timely manner. fines content of the fill and dredge material
test for no statistical change (at a confidence and method of reclamation an empirical
limit agreed with the operator) for the On daily basis the contractor supplies: estimate of the total spill is made, for each
various time scales of interest (daily, weekly, • Realised dredging volumes per dredger reclamation/dredging operation over the
monthly and 6 monthly tests are normally for every single trip, including location preceding 24 hr period. The resultant total
considered in Singapore). and method; can then be compared to the spill budget
Figure 5. Daily operating procedure for

daily compliance monitoring.
on the level of compliance established for

the 24 hr period. A typical example is shown
below for rainbowing operations.
Spill of fines leaving immediate dredging

area = Load volume * fines % * 25%
Although it is recognised that the specific

spill is dependent on many factors such as
the prevailing water depth and current
speed, this simple empirical formula has
proved to be a reliable method for
estimation of spill for sand placement in
the typical range of physical conditions
encountered in Singapore.
Validation of the spill calculation is

subsequently provided by the TSS or
sediment flux measurements in the plume.
However, for the purpose of the daily
compliance monitoring a simple, yet
reliable, empirical formulation is required
to meet the reporting time scale.
Figure 5 presents a general flowchart of

the complex daily operating procedures
required to establish compliance with spill
budget targets to a time frame which will
allow response before any non-compliance
will pose a threat to the environment,
which has been defined as a maximum of
45 hrs in arrears of any activity on site.
Figure 6 presents an example of the daily

spill calculations over a period of five
months based on the empirical methods
described above and validated by the
control sampling in the sediment plume.
This figure indicates that the daily spill
budget was exceeded for a period in
April. Mitigating measures were introduced
and subsequently the spill budget was
achieved for the remainder of the
reclamation work.
Figure 6. Spill results from

reclamation operations.
Figure 7. DHI’s Singapore Straits regional

675 m grid model with nested
intermediate 225 m grid and local
75 m grid sub-domain models.
DAILY HINDCAST MODELLING
Based upon the information provided by

the contractor in terms of time and location
of activities and the calculated spill, daily
spill hindcast simulations are run in order to
establish the temporal and spatial impacts
of the sediment plumes released from the
work area.
Hydrodynamic model setup and

performance
The daily hindcast modelling is based upon
DHI’s extensively verified 675/225/75/25 m
MIKE 21 nested grid hydrodynamic model
of the Singapore Straits, which was
developed in 2001 and is being continuously
refined on the basis of daily real time current
measurements.
Figure 7 shows the overall regional model

grid coverage utilised for EMMP projects in
the Singapore area, whilst Figure 8 presents
an example of the model performance
which meets relevant international standards
such as UK Foundation for Water Research
Publication Ref FR0374 “A framework for
marine and estuarine model specification in
the UK”. The 25 m Model resolution is
adopted in the specific area of reclamation
to ensure all relevant local hydrodynamic
factors, which may affect the plume
transport and dispersion are resolved.
Bathymetric survey data are taken directly

from digital navigation charts,
supplemented by project specific survey
data, which is updated on a weekly basis
for reclamation progress in the specific
project areas.
Figure 8. Example performance of DHI’s Singapore

Straits current forecast model. RMS error on current
speed at presented validation point = 0.09 m/s.
Sediment plume model set-up and

performance
Calibration and validation of DHI’s sediment
plume hindcast model for Singapore waters
has been carried out over the course of
several projects. A typical example of the
model performance is provided in Figure 9.
Throughout the course of the EMMP, the Location survey vessel
performance of the model is verified on a Water samples were taken
daily basis, either by direct TSS measurements TSS results:
within the sediment plume or via sediment Point 15: 2.5 mg/l
flux transects through the plume. Point 16: 12.0 mg/l
Point 17: 40.0 mg/l
Critical shear stress for erosion and Point 18: 6.0 mg/l
deposition Point 19: 1.8 mg/l
A vital factor to the performance of the model
in terms of documenting impacts on coral reef
habitats is the parameterisation of the critical
shear stress for erosion and deposition over
the reef areas. The complex morphology of
coral reefs on both micro and macro scales,
leads to an increased tendency for deposition
to occur and a reduced tendency for
re-suspension. Extensive testing and
comparison to sediment trap data collected
on a weekly basis has been undertaken, Figure 9. Location and magnitude of the sediment plume predicted by DHI’s hindcast model
leading to the following conclusions and the location of the survey vessel during plume transects.
concerning average critical shear stress
parameters for deposition and re-suspension
Table V. Example of model performance measured against reef
of fines over coral reef areas in Singapore:
sedimentation data
• Critical shear stress for deposition of Measured incremental Predicted incremental Predicted incremental
fine material over coral reef: 0.6 N/m2 sedimentation sedimentation without sedimentation with
• Critical shear stress for re-suspension of Kg/m2/day adjustment of critical adjustment of critical
initial deposits over coral reef: 1.5 N/m2 shear stress parameters shear stress parameters
Figure 10 presents the example maps of 0.02 < 0.01 0.04

critical shear stress in South-West 0.04 < 0.01 0.04
Singapore, whilst Table V presents an
example of model performance against
measured sediment trap data. Figure 10. Maps of critical shear stress for erosion (left) and deposition (right) covering
SW Singapore for sediment released from dredging and reclamation operations.
Fraction 1 60% contribution

Representative fall velocity v = 0.00075 m/s
Coarse fines: settles quickly outside the work
area

Medium fines: can be transported large
distances during spring tide, prime case of
remote sedimentation
Fine fines: regularly transported large
distances, generally will not settle out,
contributing to suspended sediment impacts
Figure 11. Example sediment fall velocity distribution from Owen Tube test of fine material content of reclamation fill.
Sediment settling velocity of the daily EMMP hindcast model are Habitat monitoring
In order to reliably simulate the transport validated against the daily control samples Quarterly control habitat monitoring surveys
and fate of the fine material released from taken in the sediment plumes originating are carried out to establish the status of the
dredging and reclamation activities, it also from the reclamation. various marine habitats near the development
proves necessary to divide the sediment site. The choice of survey locations is based
spill into a number of sediment fractions. The daily hindcast is processed to allow upon three criteria:
After testing of various options, 6 fractions direct comparison to the EQOs with the • Importance and/or sensitivity of the
(3 for reclamation fill and 3 for dredge following key outputs: habitat;
material) have been found to provide a • Time series and tabulation of excess • Expected level of impact (based upon
generally consistent compromise between suspended sediment concentration at the sediment plume forecast); and
model reliability and computational time, the various environmental receptors; • Control stations outside the potential
which is critical to the reporting schedule. • Maps of exceedences of 5, 10 and impact area (based upon the sediment
25 mg/l excess concentration; plume forecast).
In order to establish the characteristics of • Animations of concentration maps.
the 6 sediment fractions, fall velocity For each survey station key indicators are
testing of the fine material present in the identified and the survey sites laid out to
reclamation and dredge material is carried UPDATING OF TOLERANCE LIMITS AND facilitate exact replicate surveys.
out on a regular basis via Owen tube tests. SPILL BUDGET
Fall velocity characteristics are typically Coral habitat monitoring
updated on a monthly basis (separately for As the spill budget is dependent on the Coral surveys are primarily carried out using
reclamation fill and dredged material), or tolerance limits of the various environmental the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method, as
when the daily control measurements in receptors, it is critical that the reliability of shown in Figure 12, which is recommended
the sediment plume indicate a necessity for these limits is confirmed at an early stage by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network
updating. An example of the Owen tube of the construction works, with continuous (English et al. 1997, Hill et al. 2004) for
test results is provided in Figure 11. refinement carried out throughout the quantification of the percentage cover of
construction period. The tolerance limits are reef building corals, coral diversity, as well
Execution of daily hindcast confirmed (or refined) based upon the as other benthic life forms. The LIT
Based on the contractor’s activity information results of quarterly habitat monitoring of methodology, which provides a good
and calculated spill, the numerical spill key environmental indicators compared to method for identification of mortalities of
hindcast is carried out on a daily basis for the results of the sediment plume hindcast larger reef areas, is supplemented by exact
the actual reclamation operations. The result and sedimentation monitoring. repeat surveys of selected individual colonies,
Figure 12. LIT Coral habitat survey in Singapore.
which is required to establish changes in

stress levels or partial mortalities of colonies
lying off the transect line.
Example results from a repeat LIT survey

close to the reclamation site at station
CR07 are presented in Table VI. The LIT
surveys indicate no significant change in
reef characteristics as illustrated by the plot
in Figure 13.
For the exact repeat colony monitoring at

the same site, 50% of the colonies showed
some form of improvement in life form
characteristics. 30% showed no change
and 2 colonies (20%) were noted to have
declined as a result of physical damage not
directly attributable to the reclamation works.
The sediment loading from the reclamation Seagrass monitoring baseline and repeat surveys. Figure 14 shows
works at this site over the monitoring Parameters used to assess the health of the an example from a seagrass bed close to the
period is tabulated in Table VII. Comparison seagrass areas include seagrass spatial reclamation site. The mean seagrass cover
with the coral tolerance limits presented distribution and composition, seagrass documents a general increase between the
in Table I and Table II indicates that the percent cover, seagrass diversity and baseline and the first Repeat Survey, but a
sediment loading falls in the No Impact evenness, seagrass biomass, sediment level decrease of approximately 20% documented
category. This is consistent with the and composition. between the first and second repeat.
recoded LIT and exact repeat results
confirming, in this case, the applicability of Measures Analysis of Variance on Ranks, The corresponding sediment loading from
the tolerance limits (at the No Impact level). which is commonly used for comparison the reclamation works at this site over the
Tolerance limits were therefore not updated between two datasets, is used for the monitoring period is tabulated in Table VIII.
and spill budget limits for the period after statistical analysis of sediment level and This indicates the seagrass bed lie in the
August 2006 were not adjusted. seagrass cover for comparison of the No-Impact zone, though a moderate decrease
Table VI. Comparison of mean percent cover and standard deviation

for the major benthic categories at CR07
Baseline Repeat Survey 1 Repeat Survey 2
Major Category August-05 May-06 August-06
Mean Cover (%) STDEV Mean Cover (%) STDEV Mean Cover (%) STDEV
Hard Coral 24.66 8.73 26.87 6.95 26.61 8.45
Dead Coral 0.28 0.31 0.38 0.53 1.01 0.78
Soft Coral 1.34 1.46 0.86 0.58 0.75 0.40
Sponge 2.55 2.19 3.84 2.19 3.66 2.39
Other Fauna 16.13 4.35 14.10 8.28 13.44 9.46
Algae 19.93 8.01 27.87 8.76 30.36 12.86
Rubble 32.72 16.21 21.86 8.62 22.02 9.51
Rock 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Silt 0.00 0.00 1.94 2.50 1.63 2.16
Sand 2.39 1.76 2.28 1.61 0.52 0.83
Other 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Figure 13. Changes in the mean percentage cover of

the major benthic categories.
in cover was identified by the habitat

monitoring. In this case the hindcast
models are conclusive in confirming that
there is no direct flow of sediment from
the reclamation area to this seagrass site,
such that it can be firmly concluded that
the decrease in seagrass cover is not
attributable to the reclamation works.
Tolerance limits were therefore not updated
and spill budget limits for the period after
August 2006 were not adjusted. The ability
to isolate impacts from a development
project from other third part or regional
impacts is a major advantage of the feedback
EMMP system adopted in Singapore.
Sedimentation monitoring
Sediment traps are deployed on the reef
Table VII. Summary of percentage exceedence of suspended sediment
crest, close to the LIT monitoring sites.
and sedimentation loading over the coral reef monitoring site CR07
These measurements document
presented in Table VI
sedimentation levels along the reef area,
March April May June July August which is used in part to validate the results
Date
2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 of the sediment plume hindcast models
% Exceedence 5 mg/l < 5% < 5% < 5% < 5% < 5% < 5% (incremental sedimentation above
Nett sedimentation kg/m2/day < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 background values) and in part to confirm
tolerance limits. Sediment traps function as
a measuring device for sedimentation on
the reef area and are deployed in three
Table VIII. Summary of sedimentation loading over the seagrass monitoring
replicates; each consisting of three
sites presented in Figure 14
cylindrical small tubes attached together.
March April May June July August The theory and dimension of the sediment
Date
2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 trap follows those recommended in the
Nett sedimentation kg/m2/day < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 Survey Manual for Tropical Marine Resources
(English et al, 1997). See Figure 15 for an
impression of the sediment traps deployed.
To function reliably in the high sedimentation

environment present in Singapore, sediment
traps are recovered every fortnight. As a
Baseline (Sep 05) result of the large number of traps
deployed in Singapore, ease of underwater
Repeat 1 (May 06) service is important. This has lead DHI to
develop a single point of attachment
Repeat 2 (Aug 06) system that is operated by the single Allen
screw seen in Figure 15. This system
reduces the underwater service time by
approximately 50%, improves the reliability
of the data by reducing sediment loss
during recovery and also reduces
expenditures associated with cable ties and
Figure 14. Comparison of mean seagrass cover along transect CY03. other consumables by approximately 50%.
Figure 16 presents an example of the Figure 15. Three sedimentation traps are
absolute sedimentation rates close to the fixed at each site located on the reef slope
work area at the same reef monitoring close to the coral LIT sites. The height of the
presented in Table VI. This shows an trap from the reef surface to the opening is
average declining sedimentation rate 35 cm. The sediment traps are held vertically
between 0.08~0.11 kg/m2/day after by angle-bars hammered deep into the
baseline. The results presented in the figure ground in an area of dead coral.
indicate that no sedimentation impact at The actual dimension of the sediment trap is:
station CR07 during July and August falls height 15 cm and Ø 5 cm.
within the No Impact limits. These results
are consistent with the results of the
sediment plume hindcast and habitat
surveys (see Table VI for details of change in
live coral cover at CR07) and fall within the Figure 16. Average sedimentation
EQOs for the project. rates at station CR07.
Online turbidity sensors Average Sedimentation

Online turbidity sensors are deployed at key
Average Sedimentation Rate [kg/m2/day]
environmental receptors (coral reefs and

intakes) in close proximity to the reclamation Baseline
area in order to provide an initial response
mechanism to any transients in suspended 10 Jul ‘06
sediment concentrations and to provide
supplementary validation data for the 08 Aug ‘06
sediment plume hindcast models.
The instruments are vertically secured to a
platform deployed on the seabed, and held
approximately 1 metre above the seabed.
Data recorded is transformed from NTU to
TSS via site-specific validation curves, which
are updated on a weekly basis based on CR07
measurements taken during instrument
servicing. The data is transmitted to a
Data Information System that is used to
disseminate all EMMP related data to the
authorities and contractors.
Figure 17. Left: deployed YSI turbidity sensor. Right: Time series of turbidity measurements.
Figure 18. A noise meter, built into a switch box. Figure 19. An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler mounted on a stainless steel frame and about to be
deployed on the seabed.
Figure 17 presents a typical picture of the CONCLUSION the EMMP have had to be realised. These
online sensor and an example of mean include empirical methods for estimation of
turbidity levels. The increase in turbidity The feedback approach to the Environmental spill based upon sediment characteristics
levels observed in this example above the Monitoring and Management of reclamation and type of operation, adapting sediment
baseline mean results from sensor fouling, works summarised in Figure 20, which has plume models to cater for complex dredging
which is a significant problem in Singapore been adopted in Singapore, provides a and reclamation schedules, plus specific
waters owing to high rates of algae practical and reliable method for the adjustment of settling and re-suspension
growth, despite automatic sensor cleaning pro-active management of potential characteristics to cater for the complexities
and weekly equipment service. environmental impacts resulting from of reef morphology.
reclamation works.
As the turbidity measurements provide only The performance of the feedback EMMP in
a second level of EMMP response the The responsiveness of the system allows terms of meeting EQOs has been verified
reliability of the overall EMMP is not unexpected impacts to be mitigated prior by habitat monitoring which also confirm
influenced by this fouling problem, which to them becoming a serious threat to the adopted tolerance limits for corals and
would otherwise be critical to management environment. Importantly, the level of seagrass in high background suspended
plans reliant purely on static monitoring. documentation provided ensures that sediment and sedimentation environments
developers and contractors are not exposed such as those encountered in Singapore.
Other online instrumentation used for to unwarranted claims concerning
control monitoring include, for example, environmental degradation as the EMMP The EMMP techniques presented here have
noise meters (Figure 18) and Acoustic approach allows full segregation of project also been successfully adopted for the
Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) (Figure 19). impacts from other third party disturbances. environmental management of other
Noise meters are generally deployed at dredging and reclamation projects in the
receptor sites (residential buildings and/or In order to obtain the level of reliability and region, including Bintulu and Kota Kinabalu,
work sites) to document noise levels from responsiveness required to meet strict EQOs Malaysia and previously mentioned Bali Turtle
the construction. ADCPs are deployed relating to marine habitats and other Island, Indonesia. The EMMP techniques are
on the seabed for current and wave environmental receptors in Singapore, several thus becoming accepted best practice
measurements. enhancements to various components of methodologies in the South East Asia Region.
Figure 20. Summary of the prime components of feedback EMMP adopted in Singapore.
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regeneration of hard corals: a manual for Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom.
Duarte, C.M. & Chiscano, C.L. (1999) Seagrass coral reef users and managers. Technical
biomass and production: A reassessment. memorandum GBRMPA-TM-16. Great Barrier Tun, K., Chou, L.M., Cabanban, A., Tuan, V.S.,
Aquatic Botany, Vol. 65, 159-174. Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville. 42 pp. Reefs, Ph. Yeemin, Th., Suharsono, Sour, K., and
Lane, D. (2004). Chapter 9 Status of Coral Reefs,
Driscoll, A.M., Foster, T., Rand, P. and Tateishi, Y. Hill, J. and C. Wilkinson (2004). Methods for Coral Reef Monitoring and Management in
(1997). Environmental Modelling and Ecological Monitoring of Coral Reefs. Australian Southeast Asia, 2004. In: Status of Coral Reefs
Management of Marine Construction Works in Institute of Marine Science, Townsville: 117 pp. of the World, 2004. pp. 235-275.
Tropical Environments, 2nd ASIAN and Australian
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English, S., Wilkinson, C. and Baker, V. (1997). Thampanya, U., Vermaat, J.E., Terrados, J. (2002).
Survey Manual for Tropical Marine Resources The effect of increasing sediment accretion on Waycott, M., McMahon, K., Mellors, J.,
(2nd Edition), ASEAN-Australia Marine Science the seedlings of three common Thai mangrove Calladine, A., and Kleine, D. (2004). A guide to
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Planning for the Future – Ground Improvement Trials at The Port of Brisbane 19
PETER BOYLE, JAY AMERATUNGA, CYNTHIA DE BOK AND BILL TRANBERG
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE –

GROUND IMPROVEMENT TRIALS
AT THE PORT OF BRISBANE
A B S T R AC T there is a critical need to accelerate the about their works during the design and
consolidation of the reclaimed land as installation phases. This paper was first
The Port of Brisbane is located at the traditional surcharging used at the Port in the presented at the Coasts & Ports 2007
mouth of the Brisbane River at Fisherman past will not meet the future development Conference, Melbourne, Australia in July 2007
Islands in Brisbane. In recent years, Port land timelines. In order to optimise various and is published here in an adapted version
has seen rapid development as a result of ground improvement techniques and assess with permission.
increased trade growth. This growth in the their suitability for the local conditions,
South East Queensland region is expected the Port of Brisbane Corporation invited
to continue for the next 25 years and expressions of interest from specialist INTRODUCTION
beyond. The expansion and development ground improvement contractors for the
of future Port land will see the reclamation design, supply and installation of ground The Port of Brisbane is located at the mouth
of about 235 ha of existing tidal flats improvement techniques to carry out full of the Brisbane River at Fisherman Islands.
bounded by the FPE (Future Port Expansion) scale trials in the existing reclaimed land. In recent years, the modern purpose-built
Seawall which was constructed to contain Based on this process three internationally Port has seen rapid development as a result
the reclamation. The reclamation will be known contractors were appointed to of increased trade growth. This growth in
carried out using channel maintenance conduct trials using wick drains and vacuum the South East Queensland region is expected
dredging materials consisting of river muds consolidation. Relevant performance criteria to continue for the next 25 years and
capped with sand, as has been the past were established to assess performance beyond. The expansion and development
practice. The seabed conditions, however, throughout the design and installation of future Port land is critical to ensure that
are significantly different in the seawall area phases to enable a successful Trialist and the Port’s facilities can expand at a rate to
because of the high water table, in-situ system or systems to be selected next year to meet this growth. In 1999 the Port
compressible clays over 30 metres deep and start the broad-scale roll-out programme. embarked on plans to investigate the
the increased thickness of up to 7 to 9 metres expansion of a 235 ha area immediately
of river muds to be deposited into the Port of Brisbane Corporation and Coffey to the east of the existing reclaimed area.
reclamation. Geotechnics wish to acknowledge the
professional and cooperative manner in which In 2002, an Alliance Contract was formed
Whilst historically it has taken about 10 years the three Trialists, namely, Van Oord, Boskalis between Port of Brisbane Corporation (PBC),
for reclaimed land to be available for Australia and Austress Menard have gone geotechnical consultants Coffey Geotechnics
commercial use, it is currently anticipated (CG), coastal engineers WBM Oceanics,
that this timeline will have to reduce to less Above, Aerial view of the Port of Brisbane showing civil consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff and
than 5 years to meet demand. Therefore the reclamation areas including the trial areas. constructor Leighton Contractors, to deliver
Figure 1. Site layout.
the Future Port Expansion (FPE) Seawall, of up to 7 m to 9 m of river muds to be dredged annually and must be disposed of
a 4.6 km long perimeter rockwall which deposited into the reclamation. Generally in an environmentally friendly manner
encloses the future expansion area. consolidation timings for these undeveloped within the Port’s reclamation areas.
The Seawall construction, being the first stage areas are predicted to be well in excess of
in the expansion process, was completed in 50 years if surcharging is the only treatment Substantial research and investigation by PBC
early 2005 (Ameratunga et al. 2003 and employed, as has been past practice. and CG into local and overseas practices of
Andrews et al. 2005). PBC has since Settlements in the range of 2.5 m to 4 m treatment of soft soil found that two main
engaged CG as their geotechnical advisor are also forecast. Given the pressures of groupings of techniques are available to
for development of the reclamation areas. creating additional usable Port land in time treat and improve the reclamation sediment
frames approximately half of those achieved and in-situ soils.
in the past, a decision was taken that new
CREATION OF NEW PORT LANDS techniques to speed up the consolidation Groupings of available ground
process need to be employed to meet the treatments
The Seawall allows for the containment of land development timings. Apart from conventional surcharging,
the progressive reclamation of about 235 ha techniques to improve the ground can be
of existing sub-tidal flats. The reclamation will grouped into two main areas, namely:
be carried out using channel maintenance and TREATMENTS TO SPEED UP LAND 1. Consolidation of the soft highly
berth dredging materials consisting of several CREATION compressible soils by installing vertical
metres of river mud capped off with sand. drains or using vacuum consolidation
At the existing reclamation area (Figure 1) Clearly, filling the reclamation areas with with surcharging or;
approximately 60 ha remains to be sand sourced from the Moreton Bay 2. Improve, reinforce or stabilise the soils
developed (in 2006-2007), but is at a more channels instead of dredged mud would to reduce settlements and improve shear
advanced state of filling and capping than reduce the total thickness of soft clay and strength and stiffness.
the FPE area. The subsurface conditions in therefore minimise the impacts of filling the
the seawall area and the existing reclama- reclamation areas. The suite of techniques falling under group 1
tion area are significantly different from the comprises the installation of vertical drains,
developed areas (Figure 1), because of the However, as PBC must maintain navigable including sand drains or prefabricated vertical
high water table, in-situ compressible clays depths in its river channels and berths, drains (PVDs), in a square or triangular
over 30 m thick and the increased thickness some 500.000 m3 of mud on average is pattern, generally spaced at 1 m to 2 m.
PETER BOYLE Vacuum consolidation is a process whereby available under group 2 are considered to
holds a Queensland University of a vacuum pressure is applied to an area have merit in special situations such as
Technology (QUT) civil engineering degree already installed with pvd’s to potentially edge treatments for berths or surcharge
and is a Fellow of the Institution of increase their effectiveness. Generally all stability. The mixing of techniques from
Engineers, Australia. He has over 25 years techniques here require the application of a both groups, however, poses difficulties at
of experience in the public and private surcharge loading to squeeze water out of transition zones which would need to be
sectors covering all facets of port the soft clay soils. Such loading must be carefully considered.
development. He was the Alliance Design equal to or in excess of the service loading
Manager for the construction of the the developed land will be subjected to.
Port of Brisbane’s FPE Seawall Project. In vacuum consolidation, the vacuum pressure EXISTING GROUND CONDITIONS AND
He currently has the lead technical role in applied contributes to the surcharge loading, DESIGN PARAMETERS
the reclamation and development of some and therefore actual surcharge heights are
300 hectares of future Port Lands. reduced. An additional important advantage Target service loading and settlement
of the vacuum is the isotropic nature of criteria
the vacuum pressure and the correlated Historically, ground treatment for the Port’s
JAY AMERATUNGA improvement of the stability under preloading, developed existing reclamation area was
obtained his BSc degree from the reducing considerably the risk of slope designed for an in-service settlement
University of Sri Lanka, MEng from AIT, failure resulting from the surcharge. criterion after construction of 150 mm in
Bangkok and PhD from Monash University 20 years. This criterion was associated with
in Australia. He has over 30 years Methods falling under group 2 include nominated design service loadings applied
experience and is currently a Senior stone columns, piling the ground, mass to the adopted finished design pavement
Principal at Coffey Geotechnics Pty Ltd, mixing the soils, or local mixing of the soils levels as follows:
Queensland. His expertise is in the areas over some form of grid by soil mixing. • 36 kPa at marine terminal areas
of soft soils, construction and numerical Where a grid of columns, piles, or in-situ • 15 kPa at warehousing areas and road
analysis, and he works predominantly on mixed columns is used, a bridging mattress corridors.
infrastructure and marginal lands projects. may be required across the site to transfer
the surface loadings into the discrete soil In planning for the future, however, PBC is
supports. Significantly less or no surcharging considering increasing the design service
CYNTHIA DE BOK is required with these techniques, and they loading of the marine terminals for future
received her BSc and MSc in engineering generally provide a significant time saving. berths up to 50-60 kPa. Further, new land
geology, from the Delft University of However, these treatments are typically zoning of integrated logistics has been
Technology (TU Delft), the Netherlands. more costly. In certain parts of the world, created, sandwiched between the marine
She joined Coffey Geotechnics Pty Ltd, freezing of the ground can even be terminals and warehousing zones, with an
Queensland in 2004 and initially worked considered as a viable solution. applicable design service loading of 36 kPa.
on the Wivenhoe Dam project before This new zone covers areas previously
taking on the challenge of the Selection of Preferred Treatment gazetted as warehousing and subjected to
geotechnical design and coordination Solutions a design service load of only 15 kPa. The
activities for the Port of Brisbane’s Consideration was given to the most likely increased service loadings, if adopted pose
Ground Improvement Trials. treatment technique applicable for use in a further challenges to the land development
broad scale application. The conclusion was process in the new areas. Current thinking
that the techniques available under group 1 is that PBC may need to adopt two
BILL TRANBERG would most likely be best suited for broad acceptance target service criteria in future
holds a civil engineering degree and a scale treatment. In addition they would as follows:
PhD in engineering from the University pose no boundary differences with present • Where the total thickness of
of Queensland and is a Fellow of the sites, where land consolidation techniques compressible clays and mud is less than
Institution of Engineers, Australia. using surcharging alone have occurred. a nominated thickness, say 10 m to
He has been involved with port With relevance to the Port of Brisbane 15 m, retain 150 mm residual settlement
planning, design and construction reclamation area, group 1 techniques i.e. in 20 years of service;
activities at the port for over 25 years. PVDs, shaped as the preferred treatment • Where the total thickness exceeds the
A recent highlight was the 4.6 km long over vacuum for mass application, primarily nominated thickness adopt an increased
FPE Seawall project, enclosing a because of the necessity of a 15 m deep target of 250 mm in 20 years of service.
reclamation area of 235 hectares. cut-off wall to mitigate the local site
Bill currently has technical oversight conditions (i.e. the occurrence of sandy Currently it is considered that a target of
of all engineering development works layers) at the paddocks. Conversely, the 150 mm of residual settlement may not be
for the Port of Brisbane Corporation. vacuum consolidation process and solutions feasible when using group 1 techniques,
Figure 2. Basal surface of Holocene layer (in m RL, with RL 0m equal to Low Water Port Datum).
particularly where soft compressible clay

Table I. Geological Units
thicknesses including mud can total in
excess of 30 metres. In such cases the Unit Description
creep settlement contribution from the Recent Dredged mud, marine and dune sands with layers of silt and clay.
deeper layers, which may be only slightly
This material may include fill, including dredged fill.
over-consolidated with respect to the
design service loading, may be significant Holocene Normally consolidated marine clay, silt and sand.
and may not be easily built out. Pleistocene Generally over-consolidated clay, sand and gravel.
Tertiary Weathered basalt bedrock of the Petrie Formation.
Geological Units
In the existing reclamation and FPE areas,
four distinct geological units have been coarse grained sand with interbedded Pleistocene sediments
recognised and they are listed from the layers of silt and clay. Shell layers may also The Pleistocene layer is an older alluvial
top down in Table 1 and are described below. be present. Material dredged from the river deposit below the Holocene deposit and
channels are deposited in the paddocks comprises mainly over consolidated, very
The most compressible units at the site are: from a single point discharge, generating stiff to hard clays and medium dense to
• Recent unit (dredged mud layer) variable profiles in deposited materials. dense sands and gravel immediately
• Holocene unit (clay layers) overlying the bedrock. The compressibility
Holocene sediments of these materials is relatively low
In Figure 2 the basal surface of the Previous investigations have subdivided the compared to the soft/firm clays of the
Holocene unit underlying the study areas is Holocene sediments into an Upper and Holocene deposit.
shown in relative levels. The final design Lower layer of low strength silty clay with
surface elevations of the paddocks vary shell bands (“marine clay”) separated by a Tertiary basalt
from 6m to 9m RL. discontinuous layer of sand. The Upper The weathered basalt bedrock of the Petrie
Holocene layer generally consists of sand Formation underlies the site and is described
Recent sediments layers interspersed with layers of soft clays as grey-green clay (extremely weathered
These materials generally consist of modern and silts. Sand layers or lenses are relatively basalt) grading downwards into dark grey
dune and beach deposits and dredged fill. few or absent within the Lower Holocene to black, moderately to slightly weathered
The soil types consist of silt, clay and fine to layer. basalt.
Preliminary Geotechnical Parameters resulting in cost effective and optimum than further reducing the number of trials
Based on initial ground investigations of the treatment solutions. Whilst the EOI and trialists from 3 to 2 or even to 1.
study areas an average set of geotechnical document permitted any and all solutions, Also, plans to develop future Berths 11
material parameters for the dredged mud it did indicate that vertical drains including and 12 and associated backup lands further
and the Holocene clay was chosen. It also PVDs and sand drains were likely solutions. advanced as the EOI process progressed.
enabled the creation of basic soil models at Sand drains were included on account of Accordingly PBC decided to expand the
the various study sites. These details were the ready availability of sand at the Port trials scheme previously proposed to include
included in the documentation package sourced from the bay shipping channels. three trialists and trial PVDs over 3 sites
to be issued to the various prospective of 3 ha each with a further special edge
Contractors to enable them to undertake To enable the actual performance and area of 2.5 ha set aside for a vacuum
system selection and preliminary designs cost of any proposed ground treatment consolidation trial. The successful trialists
and provide associated pricing applicable to solution put forward by Contractors to included three international companies:
their systems and solutions. Creating such be evaluated, the EOI document proposed Van Oord, Boskalis Australia and Austress
details would enable CG and PBC to make that one or two suitably qualified short Menard (Menard). Contracts were
fair comparisons between any proposals listed Contractors would be selected and subsequently successfully negotiated with
received for ground improvement works. allowed to trial their systems on a four (4) each Trialist.
hectare site. The documentation sought
These investigations also indicated low values that Contractors provide preliminary costed In addition, a scheme of assessment for the
for the coefficient of consolidation (ch), designs and forecasts within their proposals Trials during the design and construction
compared to previous results for the dredged for their systems of ground improvement phase was established and agreed with all
mud layer and the Lower Holocene layer. based on the initial geotechnical para- three trialists. These criteria are largely
The ch relates to the dissipation rate of meters and basic soil models provided by based on expanding upon the criteria
water from the clay and therefore together CG and PBC and other relevant information contained in Table II. It is further proposed
with the clay thickness and presence of contained in the EOI documentation. to place a control or reference surcharge
sand layers determines the consolidation embankment, fully instrumented but
time. Settlement information from other Assessment of proposals received without PVDs, for performance comparison
older reclamation paddocks tends to indicate At the closing of EOI submissions, eight purposes.
higher rates of dissipation, likely to be due proposals were received. Proposals were
to greater distribution of sand lenses within received from both local and overseas
the dredged mud layer. Contractors. Overseas Contractors from TRIALS PROGRAMME
The Netherlands, Germany, France and
SE Asia were keen to offer their respective A 3 ha site was provided to each Trialist for
METHODOLOGY FOR SELECTION OF expertise. The submissions received PVD installation. Each Trialist was given the
OPTIMAL GROUND IMPROVEMENT generally supported the use of PVDs as opportunity to propose a trial scheme
SYSTEM the preferred solution for the Port sites. which would generally enable maximum
learnings for each. The design proposals
After due consideration of all known The EOI document contained six selection put forward by the companies have shown a
available ground treatment techniques, criteria that Contractors were advised large degree of thought and individualism.
PBC decided to invite Expressions of would have their proposals assessed The trials utilise several different PVDs,
Interest (EOI) from specialist ground against. These criteria are listed in Table II. varying both in core and filter type and a
improvement Contractors, either local or range of different spacings.
from overseas, interested in providing PBC and CG assessed all Proposals received
services for the design, supply, installation by scoring them against the selection Boskalis is also trialling its BeauDrain-S
and monitoring of suitable specialist criteria. This resulted in the short-listing vacuum consolidation system, which is an
ground improvement systems to the of three preferred proposals. These three Australian first. Menard is trialling their
existing reclamation areas at the Port of submissions could not be substantially proprietary vacuum consolidation system
Brisbane. separated in terms of the selection criteria, along a special edge site. The system
with all three offering PVD solutions. proposed includes a cut-off wall around the
Expressions of interest Two of the three Contractors offered perimeter of the site to cut off the effects
The EOI document indicated that such systems vacuum consolidation systems as possible of sand lenses in the upper Holocene layer.
should enable the reclaimed areas to be solutions in addition to PVDs. This is the first such application in Australia.
developed by the Port in a considerably A Menard vacuum system, without a
shorter time frame than that achieved by Trials scheme adopted cut-off wall, is currently installed in the
surcharging alone, providing acceptable PBC decided that there was considerable Ballina By-Pass Project, located in New
in-service settlements and at the same time merit in trialling all three Contractors rather South Wales, Australia.
Table II. EOI assessment criteria

Criteria Issues
Overall Price One of the key factors in the assessment will be the all-up price for the ground
improvement treatment system, i.e. including all surcharging costs, monitoring, etc.
Past experience as designer & installer of A Proponent who has a demonstrated history as a proven ground improvement specialist
ground improvement systems with sound results in projects similar to that to be undertaken at the Port of Brisbane will
be ranked highly against this criterion. This will also include expertise of personnel
nominated to work on the project(s).
Ability to meet or exceed design criteria Proponents who can deliver the works to PBC’s preferred timelines whilst meeting the set
and timings nominated criteria for the project will be ranked highly against this criterion. Ability to identify all risks
and provide acceptable contingency measures will also rank highly.
Proponent’s Financial capacity Proponents will need to demonstrate an adequate financial capacity to undertake the
project to be ranked highly against this criterion.
Warranties or Performance Guarantees Proponents who submit warranties or performance guarantees to deliver the areas within
the residual settlement criteria nominated under the nominated loadings and design
criteria will be highly ranked.
QA, Environmental, and Loss Control systems PBC is strongly committed to ensuring all its activities are carried out to the highest
possible standards, including those relating to health, safety and the environment.
Proponents who can demonstrate a similarly high commitment to these standards shall
be ranked highly under this criterion.
Figure 3. The Boskalis/Cofra rig installing wick drains

in the Terminal 11 Trial area. Rig is an 80t machine
with 45 metre mast. The dredge pipe is in the
foreground. A Car Carrier vessel departing the
Brisbane River is visible in the background.
Figure 4. Close up of the Boskalis/Cofra rig during

installation of BeauDrain-S.
Figure 5. Van Oord is also a trialist in the

Terminal 11 Area. Stitching Rig is being filled
with new reel of wick drain. Note wick
anchor plates used to mark location of each
wick prior to installation.
Field trials progress The aerial photo (Figure 7) taken in June Given the expanded area of the trials and
As at June 2007, Boskalis Australia had 2007 shows the Austress Menard site increased loading parameters, some 1.5 million
completed installation of all wick drains and located in the S3A Trial area adjacent the cubic metres of surcharge is required to be
the BeauDrain-S system (Figures 3 and 4). Port’s Bird Roost with the Moreton Bay placed following the contractors’ installation
Van Oord had also completed all PVD Marine Park in the foreground, and the Port works. Installation of an extensive number
installation works (Figure 5). After rather in the background. The black L is the and type of monitoring instruments
extensive preparatory works, including vacuum trial area with (black) membrane, including piezometers, extensometers, deep
constructing the 15 metre deep perimeter pipework and pumps installed. Behind this settlement plates, load cells and inclino-
vacuum cutoff wall, Austress Menard is the white sand drainage layer placed over meters is now complete. Surface settlement
completed wick drain installation to all trial the wick drain trial areas which extend up markers on a 25 m grid are also in place.
areas in May. The vacuum consolidation to the future road alignment. Surcharge
system installation including membrane, placement across both the wick drain and The common view of the trialists is that
pipework and pumps was completed and vacuum trial areas is currently underway. meaningful interpretations of the measured
the system commissioned in June 2007 The 15 m deep cutoff wall was installed performances of each trial area will be able
(Figure 6). around the perimeter of the L. to be made 6 months after the surcharge is
Figure 6. The 80t excavator from Austress Menard

excavating the cutoff wall with the PVD
installation rig working in the background.
placed to full load. PBC plans to have the

results reviewed by CG experts, including
Prof Harry Poulos, and externally by an
appropriate expert. PBC is currently sourcing
a suitable data capture and presentation
software system for use during the Trials.
Trialists have submitted samples of all PVD

types being used in the Trials to enable
relevant laboratory testing of the PVDs to
be undertaken, including horizontal and
vertical flow capacities in unkinked and
kinked states. Kinking of PVDs is a possible
outcome with certain PVD cores subjected
to large settlements.
Anticipated outcomes
PBC and CG expect to achieve the following
outcomes from the trials:
1. Identify the effectiveness of PVDs for
local site conditions, including thickness
and depth of dredged mud and soft
clays plus natural drainage conditions Figure 7. An aerial photo taken in June 2007 shows the Austress Menard site located in the S3A Trial area adjacent
2. Identify the performance of PVDs for the Port’s Bird Roost with the Moreton Bay Marine Park in the foreground, and the Port in the background.
different spacings in relation to local
conditions
3. Identify differences in PVD performance locally and overseas and subsequently PBC is aware and currently addressing the
and cost implications engaging three world-class contractors to logistical issues in instrumenting numerous
4. Verify consolidation times, and required undertake an extensive suite of trials, large trial sites, data capture, processing
surcharge loadings using PVDs and using PBC believes it will arrive at an optimum and presentation and the placement of
vacuum consolidation solution or series of working solutions. 1.5 million cubic metres of surcharge in
5. Identify performance of Contractors in These solutions will be able to be utilized an obstacle intense area.
relation to design and construction. to develop large tracks of reclaimed land
suitable for Port industries and meet a The Trials have already generated significant
As regards comparison of design and range of future time demands. interest from industry, both Client and
construction capabilities of three world-class Contractor.
contractors, as the size of the trials has Whilst undertaking trials over an area of
expanded, the 6 months results are not 11.5 ha looks excessive, it needs to be
expected to be available before the middle realized that this only equates to less than REFERENCES
of 2008. 4% of the land areas to be developed
(see Figure 1). It is considered that the Ameratunga, J., Shaw, P. and Boyle, P. (2003).
additional costs associated in undertaking Challenging Geotechnical Conditions at the
CONCLUSIONS the trials, such as extra field and laboratory Seawall Project in Brisbane, Coasts and Ports
testing and intense performance monitoring, Conference (PIANC) 2003, Auckland, NZ.
PBC identified that no single optimum solution will be recovered in the first couple of years
existed to accelerate the consolidation of of optimized broad scale treatment rollout. Andrews, M., Boyle, P., Ameratunga, J. and
soils and dredged sediment to develop land Further, it will provide for a significant Jordan, K. (2005) Sophisticated and Interactive
within the future Port reclamation areas. degree of confidence in land availability Design Process Delivers Success for Brisbane’s
Indeed several techniques are available and timelines going forward that can be taken Seawall Project, Coasts and Ports Conference
all have their advantages and disadvantages with confidence to the market place. 2005, Adelaide, Australia.
in relation to time, cost and performance. Implementing results of the Trials will allow
By calling and receiving expressions of quality land parcelling for development that
interest from specialist contractors both can be released in a staged, timely manner.
Panama Canal Atlantic Entrance Expansion Project 27
JAN NECKEBROECK
PANAMA CANAL ATLANTIC ENTRANCE

EXPANSION PROJECT
A B S T R AC T project, at least half of the channel width ranging from private yachts to luxury cruisers
had to remain available for transiting vessels to Panamax cargo vessels. The commercial
The commercial importance of the Panama at all times. With these requirements in transportation activities via the Canal
Canal for over some 90 years cannot be mind, the ACP opted to employ international represent approximately 5% of the world’s
overstated. Vessels transiting through the state-of-the-art dredging equipment to trade and this figure continues to rise.
Canal between the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans facilitate the dredging operations necessary Currently waiting times to find a slot
save an enormous amount of time bringing to keep the Canal functioning efficiently. (a confirmed time to transit the Canal)
goods to market. However, given the The large capacity of these dredging ships can take several days. Given the Canal’s
increasing size of cargo vessels, known as plus their self-propelling capability allowed economic importance this situation is
post-Panamax, and the longer wait times them to avoid obstructing transiting vessels unacceptable and therefore plans have been
for slots to transit the Canal, the need for and to expedite the work. adopted to widen and deepen the Canal.
widening and deepening the Canal became
obvious. The Autoridad del Canal de Panama The Panama Canal consists in total of three
(Panama Canal Authority; ACP) is responsible INTRODUCTION sets of locks; the Gatún locks at the Atlantic
for all dredging operations in the Canal coast and the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores
and at the Atlantic and Pacific Entrance The Panama Canal, which first opened in Locks at the Pacific coast (Figure 1). The entity
Channels. Usually dredging activities are 1915, is an 80 km long waterway between of the Government of the Republic of Panama
carried out by its own fleet of dredgers, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Canal in charge of the operation, administration,
including the hydraulic dredger Mindi and was cut through the narrowest part of the management, maintenance and modernisation
dipper dredger Rialto M. Christensen for isthmus in Central America that connects of the Canal is the Autoridad del Canal de
deepening and maintaining the waterway. North and South America eliminating the Panamá (Panama Canal Authority; ACP).
long and treacherous voyage around South All operations within the boundaries of the
However, considering the scope of the America. The importance of the Panama Panama Canal are managed by the ACP.
work, the ACP decided to offer an Canal for the world economy cannot be The entrance channel approaching the
international tender for deepening and emphasised enough. Every year more than outer locks (Gatún Locks at the Atlantic
widening the Entrance Channels. This 13.000 ships are transiting the Canal, side and Miraflores Locks at the Pacific side)
proved to be a good choice as one of the also are part of the jurisdiction of ACP.
most serious challenges to any dredging Above, Dredging operations in the Panama Canal must
operation in the Canal is that vessels always yield to the ongoing traffic of vessels transiting Given the scope of the work, on
transiting the Canal must always have the Canal. Under no circumstances may the transiting November 11, 2003, the ACP launched
priority. In fact during the execution of this vessels be obstructed. international tenders for “Deepening of the
Figure 1. Location map of the Panama Canal

and the area to be dredged.
Pacific Entrance” and the “Deepening

and Widening of the Atlantic Entrance” of
the Panama Canal. On the 22 July 2004
Jan De Nul NV received the Notice of Award
for the Deepening and Widening of the
Atlantic Entrance.
The contract works included the dredging

at the Atlantic Entrance Reach station
–1K + 036 m up to the Gatún Locks North
Approach Reach station 10K + 250 m.
The navigation channel of the Atlantic
Entrance, as from the outer breakwater till
the locks, over a length of 11.286 km had
to be dredged till –14.2 m and the eastern
side of the Entrance Channel had to be
widened with 22.86 m up to 99.6 m.
After the dredging, the total width of the
Entrance Channel would become 198.12 m
with a slope 1V : 3H from –1K + 036 till
5K + 000 and a slope 1 V : 1 H from
5K + 010 to 10K + 250. In total a volume
of some 2.360.000 m3 had to be removed
and placed at the designated disposal areas.
the Miraflores Locks at the Pacific Side. These ACP ordered the presence of an ACP pilot
convoys cross each other within the Gatún onboard the main dredging units (trailing
CHALLENGES Lake. Around 1 pm (13.00) the first north- hopper dredgers and a cutter suction
bound vessels start to transit the Gatún dredger) and a first mate of ACP onboard
Several boundaries were contractually Locks and sail towards the Atlantic Ocean. of all of the auxiliary equipment such as
applicable that presented significant Normally around 8 pm (20.00) the multicast and tugboats.
challenges to the dredging operation. northbound convoy has transited the Canal.
For instance, the Contract stipulated that Close coordination with all involved
the dredging works were to be completed Traffic, however, does not stop at 8 pm. departments within ACP was crucial for the
within a period of 24 months as from the During the night is the time for the smaller smooth execution of the project. The Port
Notice to Proceed. In addition, under no ships (small bulk carriers, tugboats, yachts captains at Cristobal Port, the Pilot
circumstances could the transit of vessels and such) to transit the Canal. In view of department, the Survey department and
be obstructed and strict limitations both in the daily schedule of the convoys in transit, the Safety and Environmental departments
place and time were imposed upon the ACP ruled out the presence of dredging were involved at each stage of the project
Contractor for the duration of the Contract. equipment in the areas 10K + 250 to and had to be informed about the progress
8K + 400 (the narrowest part of the and the interfaces of the dredging project
Traffic in transit Atlantic Entrance, close to the Gatún Locks) on regular basis.
Everyday a convoy of southbound ships from 5.00 am to 8.00 pm. Additionally,
(primarily Panamax vessels) starts its voyage during the execution of the dredging Soil conditions
to transit the Panama Canal, leaving the works, at least half of the channel width A particular challenge for the successful
anchor areas around 6 in the morning at the had to remain available for transiting execution of any project in the Panama
Atlantic side. As from 6.00 am until approxi- vessels at all times. Canal is the ever- changing soil conditions.
mately noontime vessels sail continuously In order to define the soil conditions of this
through the dredging area towards the Gatún Communications particular section to be deepened and
Locks. At the same time the northbound In order to optimise communications between widened, an extensive soil investigation was
ships (also Panamax vessels) start transiting the dredging vessels and the transiting vessels, carried out. This included geo-electrical
JAN NECKEBROECK
graduated in 1998 as a MSc in
Constructional Engineering at the
Ghent University (Belgium) and joined
the Jan De Nul Group the same year.
For the last 9 years, he has been
employed in the Operational
Department on projects in the
Philippines, India, United Arab Emirates,
Singapore, Brazil, Argentina, Honduras,
Nicaragua and El Salvador. For the
Panama Project, he was the Project
Manager for execution of the dredging
works at the Atlantic Entrance.
Presently he is working as Deputy Area
Manager for the Americas at the head
office in Aalst, Belgium.
Figure 2. The Rialto M. Christensen has been at work in the Canal for 30 years.
surveys, side-scan sonar surveys, a resistivity The first phase the northern end of the Canal (between
study and a bore-hole campaign. All of The execution of the works started –1K + 036 and 4K + 000). This material,
these were performed during the tender immediately with the trailing suction hopper mainly silt and fine sand, was deposited at
period by the interested Contractors. In the dredger Francesco di Giorgio, a dredger the Northwest Breakwater Disposal Area
end, the diversity of material to be dredged with a 4400 m3 hopper capacity and a total (offshore from the Northern breakwater).
at the Atlantic side ranged from silt, clay installed power of 6330 kW (Figure 3). Some soft material was also removed
and fine sand to medium and hard rock The TSHD Francesco di Giorgio was between stations 4K + 000 and 8K + 400.
(siltstone type Gatún). constructed at the Astillero de Gijon – IZAR However, the steep slopes and hard material
in 2003 and is equipped with 2 electric- required further use of a cutter suction
The contracts for the dredging of the hydraulic Schottel rudder propellers of dredger in that area.
Atlantic and Pacific Approaches were the 2150 kW and a Schottel transverse bow-
first major dredging contracts, other than thruster system of 550 kW. These latter During this phase a total volume of
a sporadic maintenance contract, for which installations ensure a very high maneuverability approximately 1.000.000 m3 was dredged
ACP had issued an international tender. of the dredging vessel, which was very after which the Francesco di Giorgio was
Up to then, ACP had performed maintenance important during the operations in the temporarily demobilised from the site.
and capital dredging works within the Canal Canal, particularly near the locks, because As was expected, because of the high
utilising its own equipment, mainly the of the almost continuous traffic. manoeuverability of this dredger, no
64 year old cutter suction dredger Mindi problems with the transiting vessels were
and the 30 year old mechanical dipper During the first phase of operations, encountered during the execution of the
dredger Rialto M. Christensen (Figure 2). the dredger removed the soft material at first phase.
EXECUTION OF THE DEEPENING AND

WIDENING OF THE ATLANTIC ENTRANCE
After submission of the insurance certificates,

the Quality Control Plan, the Method
Statements, the Work Schedule and the
Dredging Execution Plan and their approval,
ACP issued the Order to Proceed on
October 2 2004.
Figure 3. TSHD Francesco di Giorgio working at

Atlantic Entrance with continuous freight traffic.
Figure 4. Arrival CSD JFJ De Nul, transiting through Miraflores Locks.
The second phase 5K + 000 and 5K + 800, is situated at a proved to be an asset. In addition, the
While the dredging operations with the distance of approximately 500 m from the good communication and interaction
hopper dredger were going on, preparation Canal axis. Sherman Center, with a disposal between the ACP pilots (both onboard the
for the second phase of the works was capacity of approximately 650.000 m3, JFJ De Nul and onboard the transiting
started. A cutter suction dredger (CSD) had is situated at the western side of the Canal vessels) and the crew, meant that the
to be used to remove the medium to hard at a distance of 200 m from the Canal axis. effective operation time could be improved
Gatún rock in the Entrance Channel and to considerably, even though the restrictions
dredge the steep slopes. The hard material To accomplish the task, the self-propelled of the minimum availability of half the
to be removed was mainly situated in the CSD JFJ De Nul was mobilised and came Canal for traffic and the priority for the
southern part of the Entrance Channel over from Russia (Figure 4). This vessel, with transiting vessels was always observed
(8K + 400 to 10K + 250) and at the eastern a total installed diesel power of 27,240 kW, (Figure 5).
side. Additionally some hard spots between was built by IHC Holland in 2003. The fact
3K + 500 and 4K + 000 were encountered that the cutter is self-propelled proved to Dredging at the eastern side commenced
in the middle of the canal. be an invaluable asset for the successful and the material was pumped via 500 m
execution of the Project. Time lost because floating pipes and shore pipes to the
In total three inland disposal areas for of continuous vessel traffic could be Davis Disposal Area and the Telfers Inland
the materials of the CSD were prepared: substantially compensated for because of Disposal Area. Because of the limited size
Davis Landing Disposal Area, Sherman the efficient shifting of the CSD back to her of the Davis Disposal Area and the location
Center Disposal Area and Telfers Inland position. of the Telfers Inland Disposal Area, part of
Disposal Area. Davis Landing Disposal Area the material from the eastern side had to
is situated at the eastern side of the Canal The JFJ De Nul arrived at the Port of Cristobal, be pumped towards the Sherman Center
between 9K + 100 and 9K + 500. Panama in mid January 2005. The challenge Disposal Area on the opposite bank as well.
of the rigorous restrictions of ACP regarding
The distance between the middle of the Canal working hours at the southern part of the For this purpose a sinker pipeline was placed
and Davis is approx. 250 m. The disposal Entrance Channel (from 8.00 pm till 5.00 am on the bed of the Panama Canal in an area
capacity of this area was approx. 150.000 m3. between 8K + 400 and 10K + 250) quickly that was previously dredged, which ensured
Telfers Inland Disposal Area, also situated became obvious. As stated earlier, the that it would avoid being a hindrance to the
at the eastern side of the Canal between self-manoeuvering capability of the CSD transiting vessels. The installation of the
Panama Canal Atlantic Entrance Expansion Project 31
Figure 5. CSD JFJ De Nul working at

Atlantic Entrance simultaneously
with transiting vessels.
sinker pipeline was carefully prepared and Francesco di Giorgio was remobilised to the CONCLUSIONS
ultimately done during a traffic window job by mid March 2005. At the same time a
(2-3 hours at noontime) without disruption sweeping operation was performed in Working in such a dynamic environment as
of traffic (Figure 6). order to remove the last high spots. the Panama Canal, where the first and only
priority is to get the transiting vessels swiftly
After the widening of the eastern side the At the end of the Original Contract, taking and safely to the other end of the Canal,
CSD JFJ De Nul was sent to deepen the advantage of the presence of this TSHD proved to be a major challenge for the
western side of the Canal. Most of the and convinced of the possibilities of the Contractor. The fact that under no
material collected there was pumped into vessel to work in confined areas, ACP circumstances could the transit of vessels be
Sherman Center Disposal Area. In the centre decided to issue a Variation Order to carry obstructed meant that strict limitations both
of the canal some hard material was precut out some maintenance dredging in front of in place and time were imposed upon the
for later removal by a trailing hopper dredger. the Gatún Locks (10K + 250 – 10K + 750). Contractor for the duration of the Contract.
Owing to the presence of siltstone (Gatún After the official out-survey was carried This challenge could only be converted into
formation), the contract specifications out and further approval of all involved a successful project by applying the highest
prescribed a slope of 1V : 1H at the eastern departments (Port Captain, ACP Contracting quality standards and utilising modern state-
side of the Canal between 8K + 400 and 10K Division, ACP Survey Department, ACP Pilots of-the-art vessels. As a result none of the
+ 250. Nevertheless between 9K + 800 and and so on) had been obtained, the Final transiting vessels ran into delays because of
10K + 250 soft plastic clay was encountered Acceptance of the Contract on May 12, 2005 the ongoing dredging operations nor were
and the 1V : 1H slope proved unstable. In this was received. The execution period took the dredging operations hindered by the
section additional shore protection was only slightly over 7 months instead of the transiting vessels. In the end, because of
placed in order to achieve a stable slope. 24 months as foreseen in the tender this, the execution period for widening and
In total a volume of 590 m3 of revetment documents. The decision to work with deepening the Canal took only slightly over
material “Matacan 12-24 inch” was placed modern state-of-the-art vessels proved to be 7 months, far less than the 24 months
by dry equipment to protect the slope. correct choice for both Client and Contractor. allowed for in the tender documents.
The cutter operations took in total around

two months with a total volume of
approximately 1.300.000 m3 being dredged.
During the whole execution period everything
was done to minimise interference with the
traffic. As a result none of the transiting
vessels ran into delays because of the
ongoing dredging operations.
For the final clean up and for the removal

of the material that had been precut, the
Figure 6. Sinker operations by

means of a Multicat.
BOOKS/PERIODICALS REVIEWED
The second example concerns the radioactive
distribution of high-level radioactive waste.
How does this distribute over the years through the
groundwater flow? Also here the modelling has to
take into account many unknowns. For example,
to know the groundwater flow, one has to know
the exact permeability to make a good prediction.
It is almost impossible to know this for the whole
area concerned.
The third example is the rise of the sea level. There

is no doubt that the sea level is subject to change.
But whether or not this is caused by human
interference is difficult to determine. There are too
many parameters involved of which many are almost
Useless Arithmetic. Why Environmental Scientists impossible to ascertain.
Can’t Predict the Future.
BY ORRIN H. PILKEY & LINDA PILKEY-JARVIS As a scientist and an engineer I do believe that it is
Published by Columbia University Press, New York, possible to create models for many physical
NY. 2007. 248 pages. Illustrated. Hardcover. phenomena. In engineering we already have many
Price: US$ 29.95 models that have proven their usefulness. The fact
that we can do strength and stiffness calculations and
After teaching mathematics for 15 years, it was a bit predictions for many systems and constructions, like
awkward to receive a request to write a critical note bridges, without these constructions to fail, proves
on a book with such a provocative title. Still it was that there are many models that are reliable. We can
also a challenge not to look at the book too much send people to the moon, based on mathematical
through the eyes of an engineer. models.
When I saw the title of the book I had to think of one One of the main reasons for rejecting the use of
of the statements in my PhD thesis written in 1987: mathematical models, the authors say, is the lack of
Modelling is the attempt to describe reality without knowledge of initial conditions, confirming the
pretending to be reality. With this in mind the reader statement of “garbage in, garbage out”.
can approach the book in the right perspective. After reading the book, my opinion about the use of
The authors are both scientists. Orrin H. Pilkey is the mathematical models has not changed. The book
James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of Geology and might put mathematical modelling in another
Director of the Program for the Study of Developed perspective; the use of mathematical models to
Shorelines at Duke University's Nicholas School of the predict the future in any discipline depends on the
Environment. Linda Pilkey-Jarvis is a geologist in the modelling itself and on the input. If one of them is
State of Washington's Department of Ecology, where not accurate or complete, the results will be doubtful.
she helps manage the State's oil spills programme.
This does not, however, mean we should stop creating
They use a number of explicit examples to prove more and more advanced models. One day we will be
that the future cannot be predicted. able to predict things that we cannot predict now.
The first one is cod fishing near Newfoundland. But we should stand with both our feet on the ground
Based on models the quota for cod fishing were and realize which models are ready for use in the real
determined, but this did not lead to a stable situation. world and which models should be kept in the
scientist’s environment for further development.
The reality was much more complicated than the
models assumed. In addition, the models required a The book is available from Columbia University Press
good description of the starting situation, which in at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup
fact was not available. Even with the perfect model
the rule applies: “garbage in, garbage out”. DR.IR. S.A. MIEDEMA
Seminars/Conferences/Events 33
SEMINARS/CONFERENCES/EVENTS
4th International Conference on Port Conference on Contract Management
Development and Coastal Environment (PDCE) for Land Reclamation
VARNA, BULGARIA LONDON, UK
SEPTEMBER 25-28, 2007 OCTOBER 23-24, 2007
PDCE 2007 is being organised by the Black Sea Association Organised by CEDA, IADC and ICE, this event follows the
(BSCA) and supported by the Central Dredging Association very successful Conference on Contract Management for
(CEDA). The day before the conference, the CEDA Dredging and Maritime Construction held in October 2006.
Environmental Steering Committee will sponsor a one-day The Conference is divided into lectures presented by invited
training seminar on environmental aspects of dredging. specialists from all sides of the industry. Their presentations
The seminar will be open to all conference participants. will be followed by workshops in which aspects of the key
The ESC will also present its 2007 year Best Paper Award topics will be examined in more detail. With a focus on
at this conference. large reclamation works, the subjects addressed will
include: Relation between end use and requirements;
For further information contact: boundary conditions (economical, ecological, social), subsoil
PDCE 2007 Conference Secretariat conditions and borrow area conditions; quality assurance in
Black Sea Coastal Association project execution, contract management in practice and
Capt. R. Serafimov 1, 9021 Varna, Bulgaria pricing and valuation of contracts. In addition to the views
Tel/Fax: +359 52 39 14 43 of experts, the aim is to have an open, constructive
Email: [email protected] dialogue amongst the main players, dredging contractors
CEDA website: http://www.dredging.org/event and their clients and dredging and maritime consultants.
BSCA website: www.bsc.bg According to participants of the previous conference, such
dialogues are essential for planning and implementing
dredging works to the satisfaction of all parties. For all
23rd Annual International Conference on those involved in reclamation works – clients, consulting
Contaminated Soils, Sediments and Water engineers, designers, dredging contractors, project
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, managers or construction lawyers – this event is a must.
AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS, USA
OCTOBER 15-18, 2007 For further information contact:
info@iadc-dredging or [email protected]
The Annual Conference on Soils, Sediments and Water www.dcm-conference.org or Richard Hart,
has become the preeminent national conference in this Tel.: +44 1460 259 776
important environmental area. The conference attracts E-mail: [email protected]
700-800 attendees annually from Asia, Africa, Europe as
well as South and North America, in which a wide variety
of representation from state and federal agencies; military; Port & Terminal Technology 2007
a number of industries including railroad, petroleum, ANTWERP, BELGIUM
transportation, utilities; the environmental engineering OCTOBER 29-31, 2007
and consulting community; and academia are present.
“Expediting and Economizing Cleanups”, this conference’s This Conference & Exhibition is aimed at those involved in
theme, will be supported by the development of a strong the effective development and operations of container port
and diverse technical programme in concert with a variety and terminal facilities. It examines new trends and
of educational opportunities available to attendees. technology to successfully develop and operate ports and
terminals. Topics in the conference programme are:
For more information contact: Port automation, Maintenance, Paving, Simulation, Cargo
www.UMassSoils.com or handling, Security, Increasing capacity, Terminal design and
Denise Leonard, Conference Coordinator lighting, Fender systems, Increasing productivity for cargo
Tel.: +1 413 545 12 39 handling, Port & terminal efficiency, Impact of larger ships
Email: [email protected] on port infrastructures, and Environment.
or [email protected]
For further information contact:
www.millenniumconferences.com
Europort Maritime Management Section (CMS), Dubai Municipality, Dubai,

AHOY’ ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS UAE; Dr Ian Selby, Operations and Resources Director,
NOVEMBER 6-9, 2007 Hanson Aggregates Marine Ltd, UK; Dr. Ole Larsen, General
Manager, DHI Wasser &Umwelt GmbH, Germany; and
Europort Maritime is one of the foremost international G. van Raalte, Royal Boskalis Westminster, the Netherlands.
trade fairs for maritime technology in ocean shipping,
inland shipping, shipbuilding, dredging, fishing and An IADC Award for the best paper by a younger author
related sectors. In addition to the exhibition which will be presented. To complement the conference, a small
attracts high-quality participants and visitors, the CEDA dredging exhibition will be located in the area adjacent to
Dredging Days are held simultaneously during the Europort the technical session room. A Poster Competition will be
Maritime 2007 Exhibition. held for students and young professionals. The submission
deadline is October 15. The CEDA Dredging Days 2007 are
For information on participation in the Exhibition contact: held in association with Europort Maritime 2007 Exhibition
Elly van der Loo at Ahoy’ Rotterdam: for the international maritime industry.
Tel.: +31 10 293 32 50
Email: [email protected] For more information contact the CEDA Secretariat:
Tel.: +31 15 268 25 75
Mr. J. Teunisse, Senior Account Manager Email: [email protected]
Tel.: +31 10 293 32 07 or the Dredging Days website: www.dredgingdays.org
Email: [email protected]
www.europortmaritime.nl
37th Dredging Engineering Short Course
CENTER FOR DREDGING STUDIES,
CEDA Dredging Days 2007 TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY COLLEGE STATION,
AHOY’ ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS TEXAS USA
NOVEMBER 7-9, 2007 JANUARY 7-11, 2008
The theme of CEDA Dredging Days 2007 Conference is The dredging engineering short course includes a mixture
“The Day After We Stop Dredging - Dredging for of lectures, laboratories and discussions at the Texas A&M
Infrastructure and Public Welfare”. Before almost every University campus. The course is administered by the
dredging project begins the question arises, “What will Center for Dredging Studies, Ocean Engineering Program,
the effects of dredging be?” Taking the offensive this time, Zachry Department of Civil Engineering. Two textbooks
CEDA is reversing the question and asking, “What are and course notes on all lecture material are provided.
the consequences if we do not dredge?” CEDA intends A certificate and continuing education units are earned.
to raise a wider awareness of just how vital dredging is to
our infrastructure and to our economic and social welfare. For further information contact:
In five main sessions, international keynote speakers will tell Dr. RE Randall, Director
about typical issues in their area of work that have led or Tel: +1 979 845 45 68
had the potential to lead to the cessation of dredging or to Fax: +1 979 862 81 62
reducing dredging effort. They will answer questions such Email: [email protected]
as, Will our coasts be put at risk? What are the financial www.oceaneng.civil.tamu.edu
and environmental costs of the alternatives? What will
happen to our domestic and social commerce? Will we get
the gravel we need for our buildings from land-based PIANC COPEDEC VII
quarries? Should we leave the contaminated sediment DUBAI UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
where it is? FEBRUARY 24-28, 2008
The Keynote Address will be given by Ronald E. Waterman, After its successful start in 1983, it was decided to organise
MP, Province of South-Holland; Senior Adviser to the the International Conference on Coastal and Port Engineering
Ministry of Transport, Public Works & Water Management. in Developing Countries (COPEDEC) once every four years in
Other Keynote speakers are Freddy Aerts, Head of Division, a different developing country. At the September 2003
Ministry of the Flemish Community, Maritime Access, meeting in Sri Lanka a merger agreement between COPEDEC
Belgium; Dr. Gary Patrick Mocke, Head, Coastal and PIANC (the International Navigation Association) was
Seminars/Conferences/Events 35
CALL FOR PAPERS

signed and the tradition will be continued under the auspices Brazil Chapter Annual Meeting
of the two organisations. For this reason, the newest Western Dredging Association
conference is being held with a five year interim instead of INTERCONTINENTAL RIO HOTEL
four. The theme of COPEDEC VII will be “Best Practices in RIO DE JANERIO, BRAZIL
the Coastal Environment”. Topics will include: DECEMBER 9-12, 2007
• Port, harbour and marina infrastructure engineering;
• Port, harbour and marina planning and management; WEDA’s Brazil Chapter Conference presents "Dredging in
• Coastal stabilisation and waterfront development; South America" at the Intercontinental Rio Hotel, Rio de
• Coastal sediment and hydrodynamics; Janerio, Brazil. Spurred on by the success of the Panama
• Coastal zone management and environment; Chapter, WEDA is organising this First Brazilian Chapter
• Coastal risk management; meeting. The congress and exhibition will focus on
• Short sea shipping and coastal navigation. dredging throughout South America, its impact on the
ever-expanding Global Economy and the areas Marine
For further information on registration, participation Environment.
and conference organisation contact:
International Organising Committee, PIANC-COPEDEC The theme of the conference will provide a unique forum
c/o Lanka Hydraulic Institute Ltd. for all those working in the Western Hemisphere – Dredging
177, John Rodirigo Mawatha, Katubedda, Contractors, Port & Harbor Authorities, Government Agencies,
Moratuwa, Sri Lanka Environmentalists, Consultants, Civil & Marine Engineers,
Tel.: +94 11 265 13 06 / 265 04 71 Surveyors, Ship Yards, Vendors, and Academicians – to
Fax: +94 11 265 04 70 exchange information and knowledge with their professional
Email: [email protected] counterparts who work in the exciting and challenging fields
www.pianc-aipcn.org related to dredging. Important discussions on the history of
dredging in South America, as well as the impact that
dredging or the inability to dredge has on the world
Oceanology International 2008 economy and its environment will highlight the programme.
LONDON, UK
MARCH 11-13, 2008 This announcement is a call for papers for this three-day
technical programme and exhibition. Topics of interest
OI 2008 conference will be themed ‘Technology, include, but are not limited to:
Sustainability and the Ocean Environment” and will explore • Current Dredging in Brazil
the vital role of marine science and ocean technology in • Environmental Concerns
meeting the interlocking challenges posed by climate • History of Dredging in Brazil
change, satisfying future energy needs and ensuring • Rivers and Inland Dredging
environmental and civil security. For 2008 the OI team has • Beneficial Uses of Dredged Material
partnered with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science • Geotechnical Aspects
and Technology (IMarEST) who will partner with the Society • Wetland Creation & Restoration
for Underwater Technology (SUT) to develop the event’s • Dredging for Beach Nourishment
agenda-setting conference. The OI conference 2008 • Dredging Systems & Techniques
continues to be free of charge to visitors. • Automation in Dredging
• New Dredging Equipment
OI 2008 will be a combination of: • Numerical Modeling
• a conference organised by the IMArEST and the SUT • Surveying and Equipment
• a large selection of suppliers for marine science and ocean • Contaminated Sediments
technology • Cost Estimating
• product demonstrations on the latest product • Dredging & Navigation
developments • Economic Benefits of Dredging
• education and training on up-to-date issues • Project Case Studies
• a participating ships programme featuring vessels from
around the globe. The Technical Papers Committee will review all one-page
abstracts received and notify authors of acceptance. Final
For further information contact: Manuscripts are not required. Proceedings will be published
www.oceanologyinternational.com from power point presentations. Submission of abstracts
imply a firm commitment from the authors to make a Topics include:

presentation at the conference • How to tackle sea level rise – dredging for coastal flood
protection.
All interested authors, including CEDA and EADA authors, • Dredging as a key player in the energy discussion.
should mail their one page abstract to one of the following • Creating estuarine wetlands – vital ecosystems for
members of the WEDA/Brazil Chapter Technical Papers sustainable development.
Committee. Submission deadlines are the following: • Dredging in sensitive areas
– balancing between socio-economic development and
Submission of one-page abstracts: September 15, 2007 nature conservation
Notification of presenters: October 10, 2007 – improving technology to achieve “no impact”.
• Efforts to reduce emissions in the Dredging Industry.
Dr. Ram K. Mohan, Chair • Sustainability concerning decision process
Blasland, Bouck & Lee
500 North Gulp Road, Ste 401 For each of these themes the Papers Committee invites
King of Prussia, PA 19496 submissions presenting recent challenging case studies
Tel.: +610 337 76 01 and precise descriptions of the ongoing developments.
Fax: +610 337 76 09 Preference will be given to papers illustrating a multi-
Email: [email protected] disciplinary approach and highlighting special positive
contributions to sustainable development.
Mr. Paulo Roberto Rodriguez
Director General Abstracts (maximum 300 words) of papers to be considered
Terpasa Dragagem for the conference should be submitted by December 15,
Campo de Sao Cristovao 2007 on-line to the Dredging Days. The Technical Papers
348 Grupo 502 Sao Cristovao Committee will assess the abstracts.
Rio de Janeiro +20 92 14 40 Authors will be informed of the acceptance of their
Tel/Fax: +21 38 60 88 66 abstract not later than February 15, 2008 and will be
Email: [email protected] invited to submit their full manuscript. They will also receive
the author’s instructions for the preparation of the full
Dr. Robert E. Randall manuscript, and the copyright transfer form.
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Texas A&M University Draft manuscripts, with a text of 4000 - 6000 words must
College Station, TX 77843-3136 reach the conference secretariat before May 1, 2008.
Tel.: +979 845 45 68 All manuscripts will be refereed for quality, correctness,
Fax: +979 862 81 62 45 68 originality and relevance. To assist in revision of the
Email: [email protected] manuscripts for the final submission, reviewer’s comments
will be sent to the authors by July 1, 2008.
The final camera-ready papers must be received by
CEDA Dredging Days 2008 September 1, 2008.
CONFERENCE CENTRE ‘T ELZENVELD
ANTWERP, BELGIUM For further information contact:
OCTOBER 1-3, 2008 Technologisch Instituut
Att: Rita Peys
With the title “Dredging facing Sustainability” CEDA Desguinlei 214
Belgium intends to rais a wider awareness of the BE 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium
stakeholders to the efforts of the dredging world Tel.: +32 3 260 08 61
– contractors, shipyards and consultants – to sustainable Fax: +32 3 216 06 89
development. Email: [email protected]
www.dredgingdays.org/20008
MEMBERSHIP LIST IADC 2007
Through their regional branches or through representatives, members of IADC operate directly at all locations worldwide
Editor IADC Board of Directors AFRICA Jan De Nul (UK) Ltd., Ascot, UK
Marsha R. Cohen R. van Gelder, President Dredging and Reclamation Jan De Nul Ltd., Lagos, Nigeria Rock Fall Company Ltd., Aberdeen, UK
Dredging International Services Nigeria Ltd., Ikoyi Lagos, Nigeria Van Oord UK Ltd., Newbury, UK
Y. Kakimoto, Vice President Nigerian Westminster Dredging and Marine Ltd., Lagos, Nigeria Westminster Dredging Co. Ltd., Fareham, UK
Editorial Advisory Committee C. van Meerbeeck, Treasurer Van Oord Nigeria Ltd., Ikeja-Lagos, Nigeria Irish Dredging Company, Cork, Ireland
Dredging International - Tunisia Branch, Tunis, Tunisia Van Oord Ireland Ltd., Dublin, Ireland
Roel Berends, Chairman C. Marconi Boskalis Italia, Rome, Italy
Boskalis South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
Constantijn Dolmans P. de Ridder Dravo SA, Italia, Amelia (TR), Italy
Hubert Fiers P.G. Roland ASIA Societa Italiana Dragaggi SpA ‘SIDRA’, Rome, Italy
Far East Dredging (Taiwan) Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan ROC European Dredging Company s.a., Steinfort, Luxembourg
Bert Groothuizen G. Vandewalle Far East Dredging Ltd. Hong Kong, P.R. China TOA (LUX) S.A., Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Philip Roland Van Oord ACZ Marine Contractors b.v. Hong Kong Branch, Hong Kong, P.R. China Dredging and Maritime Management s.a., Steinfort, Luxembourg
Van Oord ACZ Marine Contractors b.v. Shanghai Branch, Shanghai, P.R. China Baltic Marine Contractors SIA, Riga, Latvia
Heleen Schellinck P.T. Boskalis International Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia Aannemingsbedrijf L. Paans & Zonen, Gorinchem, Netherlands
Roberto Vidal Martin P.T. Penkonindo LLC, Jakarta, Indonesia Baggermaatschappij Boskalis B.V., Papendrecht, Netherlands
Van Oord India Pte. Ltd., Mumbai, India Ballast Nedam Baggeren b.v., Rotterdam, Netherlands
Hugo De Vlieger
Boskalis Dredging India Pvt Ltd., Mumbai, India Boskalis B.V., Rotterdam, Netherlands
Van Oord ACZ India Pte. Ltd., Mumbai, India Boskalis International B.V., Papendrecht, Netherlands
Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt. Ltd., India Boskalis Offshore b.v., Papendrecht, Netherlands
Penta-Ocean Construction Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan Dredging and Contracting Rotterdam b.v., Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands
Toa Corporation, Tokyo, Japan Ham Dredging Contractors b.v., Rotterdam, Netherlands
Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea Mijnster zand- en grinthandel b.v., Gorinchem, Netherlands
Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors b.v. Korea Branch, Busan, Republic of Korea Tideway B.V., Breda, Netherlands
Ballast Ham Dredging (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia Van Oord ACZ Marine Contractors b.v., Rotterdam, Netherlands
Tideway DI Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Van Oord Nederland b.v., Gorinchem, Netherlands
Van Oord (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Selangor, Malaysia Van Oord n.v., Rotterdam, Netherlands
Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors b.v. Philippines Branch, Manilla, Philippines Van Oord Offshore b.v., Gorinchem, Netherlands
Boskalis International Pte. Ltd., Singapore Van Oord Overseas b.v., Gorinchem, Netherlands
Dredging International Asia Pacific (Pte) Ltd., Singapore Water Injection Dredging b.v., Rotterdam, Netherlands
Jan De Nul Singapore Pte. Ltd., Singapore Dragapor Dragagens de Portugal S.A., Alcochete, Portugal
IADC
Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors b.v. Singapore Branch, Singapore Dravo S.A., Lisbon, Portugal
Constantijn Dolmans, Secretary General Baggerwerken Decloedt en Zoon N.V., St Petersburg, Russia
Alexanderveld 84 AUSTRALIA Ballast Ham Dredging, St. Petersburg, Russia
Boskalis Australia Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia Boskalis Sweden AB, Gothenburg, Sweden
2585 DB The Hague Dredeco Pty. Ltd., Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Van Oord Australia Pty. Ltd., Brisbane, QLD, Australia MIDDLE EAST
WA Shell Sands Pty. Ltd., Perth, Australia Boskalis Westminster M.E. Ltd., Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Mailing adress:
NZ Dredging & General Works Ltd., Maunganui, New Zealand Gulf Cobla (Limited Liability Company), Dubai, U.A.E.
P.O. Box 80521 Jan De Nul Dredging Ltd. (Dubai Branch), Dubai, U.A.E.
2508 GM The Hague EUROPE Van Oord Gulf FZE, Dubai, U.A.E.
DEME Building Materials N.V. (DBM), Zwijndrecht, Belgium Boskalis Westminster Middle East Ltd., Manama, Bahrain
The Netherlands Dredging International N.V., Zwijndrecht, Belgium Boskalis Westminster (Oman) LLC, Muscat, Oman
International Seaport Private Ltd., Zwijndrecht, Belgium Boskalis Westminster Middle East, Doha, Qatar
Jan De Nul n.v., Hofstede/Aalst, Belgium Boskalis Westminster Al Rushaid Co. Ltd., Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
T +31 (70) 352 3334
N.V. Baggerwerken Decloedt & Zoon, Oostende, Belgium HAM Saudi Arabia Company Ltd., Damman, Saudi Arabia
F +31 (70) 351 2654 Boskalis Westminster Dredging & Contracting Ltd., Cyprus
E [email protected] Van Oord Middle East Ltd., Nicosia, Cyprus THE AMERICAS
Brewaba Wasserbaugesellschaft Bremen m.b.H., Bremen, Germany Van Oord Curaçao n.v., Willemstad, Curaçao
I www.iadc-dredging.com Heinrich Hirdes G.m.b.H., Hamburg, Germany Compañía Sud Americana de Dragados S.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina
I www.terra-et-aqua.com International Association of Dredging Companies Nordsee Nassbagger - und Tiefbau G.m.b.H., Wilhelmshaven, Germany Van Oord ACZ Marine Contractors b.v. Argentina Branch, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Terramare Eesti OU, Tallinn, Estonia Ballast Ham Dredging do Brazil Ltda., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
DRACE, Madrid, Spain Dragamex S.A. de C.V., Coatzacoalcos, Mexico
Dravo SA, Madrid, Spain Dredging International Mexico S.A. de C.V., Veracruz, Mexico
Sociedade Española de Dragados S.A., Madrid, Spain Mexicana de Dragados S.A. de C.V., Mexico City, Mexico
Terramare Oy, Helsinki, Finland Coastal and Inland Marine Services Inc., Bethania, Panama
Please address enquiries to the editor. Articles in Atlantique Dragage S.A., Nanterre, France Stuyvesant Dredging Company, Louisiana, U.S.A.
Terra et Aqua do not necessarily reflect the opinion Atlantique Dragage Sarl, Paris, France Boskalis International Uruguay S.A., Montevideo, Uruguay
Société de Dragage International ‘SDI’ S.A., Lambersart, France Dravensa C.A., Caracas, Venezuela
of the IADC Board or of individual members.
Sodranord SARL, Le Blanc - Mesnil Cédex, France Dredging International N.V. - Sucursal Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
Dredging International (UK) Ltd., Weybridge, UK
COVER Terra et Aqua is published quarterly by the IADC, The International Association of © 2007 IADC, The Netherlands
Traffic on the Panama Canal is constant, day and night, with more than 13,000 ships, from private yachts to Dredging Companies. The journal is available on request to individuals or organisations All rights reserved. Electronic storage, reprinting or abstracting of the contents is
Panamax cargo vessels, transiting everyday. Even crucial dredging operations for deepening and widening the with a professional interest in dredging and maritime infrastructure projects including allowed for non-commercial purposes with permission of the publisher.
Canal are not allowed to interrupt the flow of vessels (see page 27). the development of ports and waterways, coastal protection, land reclamation,
offshore works, environmental remediation and habitat restoration. The name Terra et ISSN 0376-6411
Aqua is a registered trademark.
Typesetting and printing by Opmeer Drukkerij bv, The Hague, The Netherlands.
International Association of Dredging Companies Number 108 | September 2007
TERRA ET
AQUA
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International Association of Dredging Companies Number 108 | September 2007

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF 3

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE – GROUND IMPROVEMENT TRIALS 19

PANAMA CANAL ATLANTIC ENTRANCE EXPANSION PROJECT 27

Robert van Gelder

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND

vi) Compliance monitoring spatial impacts of the construction

Coral tolerance to sedimentation

suspended sediment load in the Singapore

Figure 3. Typical seagrass habitat

Mangrove tolerance to suspended

Figure 5. Daily operating procedure for

on the level of compliance established for

Spill of fines leaving immediate dredging

Although it is recognised that the specific

Validation of the spill calculation is

Figure 5 presents a general flowchart of

Figure 6 presents an example of the daily

Figure 6. Spill results from

Figure 7. DHI’s Singapore Straits regional

DAILY HINDCAST MODELLING

Based upon the information provided by

Hydrodynamic model setup and

Figure 7 shows the overall regional model

Bathymetric survey data are taken directly

Figure 8. Example performance of DHI’s Singapore

Sediment plume model set-up and

Figure 10 presents the example maps of 0.02 < 0.01 0.04

Fraction 1 60% contribution

Fraction 2 36% contribution

Figure 12. LIT Coral habitat survey in Singapore.

which is required to establish changes in

Example results from a repeat LIT survey

For the exact repeat colony monitoring at

Table VI. Comparison of mean percent cover and standard deviation

Figure 13. Changes in the mean percentage cover of

in cover was identified by the habitat

To function reliably in the high sedimentation

Online turbidity sensors Average Sedimentation

environmental receptors (coral reefs and

PETER BOYLE, JAY AMERATUNGA, CYNTHIA DE BOK AND BILL TRANBERG

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE –

Figure 1. Site layout.

particularly where soft compressible clay

Table II. EOI assessment criteria

Figure 3. The Boskalis/Cofra rig installing wick drains

Figure 4. Close up of the Boskalis/Cofra rig during

Figure 5. Van Oord is also a trialist in the

Figure 6. The 80t excavator from Austress Menard

placed to full load. PBC plans to have the

Trialists have submitted samples of all PVD

PANAMA CANAL ATLANTIC ENTRANCE

Figure 1. Location map of the Panama Canal

Pacific Entrance” and the “Deepening

The contract works included the dredging

EXECUTION OF THE DEEPENING AND

After submission of the insurance certificates,

Figure 3. TSHD Francesco di Giorgio working at

Figure 5. CSD JFJ De Nul working at