sureside collaborated with fsc range to review structural analysis of piles at webb dock. the challenge was to capture pile slenderness considerations to accurately model pile behaviour and thus establish optimum intervention actions to remediate the structure.

fsc range arranged an online workshop to work through the structural analysis undertaken to date. they were observing that the model was not behaving as expected when boundary conditions were changed. sureside were able to quickly identify the issue and point to a method of manipulating the model in order to account for slenderness effects appropriately. alteration of the model showed that analysis began to behave as expected, confirming the integrity of the modelling approach. Sureside then provided guidance on use of the model to approach reality and provided guidelines for modelling lateral stiffness parameters accurately.

piles in the port of melbourne that are in many cases founded within unique materials that contribute little to long term use and stability require a sound understanding of slenderness effects. most piles are inherently slender and it is slenderness effects that are likely to prevail in determining residual capacity.

project client: port of melbourne operations

sureside client: fsc range

location: fishermans bend, metropolitan melbourne, victoria, australia

time period: 2024